Shepherd Nyambe
THE passing of Namibia's third president, Hage Geingob, on 04 February, 2024 due to an illness related to cancer, marks a significant moment in the nation's history.
This tragic event has not only plunged the country into mourning but also posed a formidable challenge for both the ruling party and the entire nation. Namibia, known for its strong Constitution and commitment to national security, has swiftly moved to address the void left by Geingob's passing by swearing in the former Vice President Nangolo Mumba, as the new President.
However, amid the grief and transition, there are valuable lessons to be gleaned from neighbouring Zambia, particularly regarding presidential succession.
Zambia, like Namibia, experienced the loss of its third sitting president in the past. The death of President Levy Mwanawasa in 2008 and President Michael Chilufya Sata in 2014 sent shockwaves through the nation, ushering in periods of uncertainty and political turbulence.
When Zambia lost its third sitting president, similar to Namibia, the scramble for power within the government became palpable. The nation witnessed a fiercely contested by-election, ultimately resulting in the ascension of then vice president Rupiah Bwezani Banda to the presidency. It is believed Banda’s appointment as vice president during Mwanawasa’s tenure was based
on his loyalty to the party and the President, not on merit or capability. Yet that same appointment paved the way for him to the presidency when Levy Mwanawasa passed on.
Banda's presidency, however, was marred by allegations of incompetence and rampant corruption, leading to a loss of public trust in the ruling party.
The legacy of corruption and misuse of power tarnished Banda's tenure, ultimately contributing to his defeat in the subsequent general elections in 2011.
His successor, Sata, faced the daunting task of economic recovery amid a backdrop of political
turmoil and internal party conflicts.
President Sata's tenure, while initially promising, also faced challenges, including his untimely passing during his third year in office. The succession process that followed highlighted the fragility of Zambia's political landscape, with conflicts of interest within the ruling party and government leading to uncertainty and instability.During Sata’s illness, some individuals already started campaigning for the presidency and Sata decided to fire them leading to a vacancy for a minister in a key ministry, the ministry of defence.
He then chose to assign the ministry to Edgar Chagwa Lungu who at that time was serving as minister of justice. Sata deemed Lungu as a loyalist because he had shown no interest in the presidency.
Unfortunately, shortly after that, Sata passed on and his succession was contested by a lot of party members including his son.
Eventually, Lungu emerged victorious after winning the party congress elections. Many party members believed Sata would want Lungu to take over as he had assigned him two big ministries to lead.
The then vice president Guy Scott, was white and deemed not eligible for presidency by the constitution. However, Lungu's reign failed to deliver on the promises of economic recovery and good governance.
Instead, his tenure was marked by a further deterioration of the economy, soaring unemployment rates, and allegations of electoral fraud and constitutional manipulation. The hunger for power led Lungu to suppress opposition voices and manipulate the constitution to prolong his stay in office, further eroding democratic principles and public trust.
Both Banda and Lungu just became presidents because of unfortunate circumstances and none of them ever dreamed of becoming a president, yet when they tasted power, they turned their blessings into curses. President Banda passed on yet he has no legacy that he will graciously be remembered for as former president.
President Lungu, despite still being alive and vying for re-running for the presidency in the next election, also has no legacy and turned his blessings into a curse which saw him losing to Hakainde Hichilema, Zambia’s current president with a difference of one million votes in 2021 general elections.
Vice President Nangolo Mbumba has become Namibian president under the same circumstances and, therefore, the need for him to learn from these experiences and avoid the curse that comes with such succession.
The lessons from Zambia's experience with presidential succession are manifold and offer valuable insights. Firstly, the importance of upholding democratic values and respecting constitutional limits on presidential terms cannot be overstated. President Lungu's attempts to manipulate the constitution for personal gain only served to undermine democracy and erode public trust in the government.
Secondly, the need for transparency and accountability in governance cannot be understated. President Lungu's tenure was marred by allegations of corruption and misuse of power, highlighting the importance of robust institutions and mechanisms to combat graft and ensure the equitable distribution of resources.
Thirdly, the importance of inclusive and participatory leadership cannot be overlooked. President Lungu's authoritarian tendencies and suppression of dissenting voices only served to exacerbate divisions within Zambian society and undermine the prospects for national unity and cohesion.
The passing of Hage Geingob and the subsequent transition of power in Namibia serve as a poignant reminder of the fragility of political stability and the importance of effective leadership in times of crisis.
By learning from the mistakes and challenges faced by Zambia in its journey of presidential succession, Namibia can chart a course towards a brighter and more prosperous future under the leadership of President Mbumba.
President Mbumba and his administration must prioritise transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance to build a resilient and vibrant democracy that serves the interests of all Namibians.
*Shepherd Nyambe is a young researcher and SDGs action advocate from the University of Namibia and can be reached at shepherdmn01@gmail.com"