Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Elected President of Namibia

 

Namibia has elected its first female president. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. According to the electoral commission  Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah got 57% of the vote. Accusations of electoral irregularities have been made by the political opposition. The Independent Patriots for Change are attempting to challenge the results in court. It is unlikely that the ICP will overturn the election results. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is a veteran of the liberation struggle against Apartheid South Africa's occupation of Namibia. Active in SWAPO's  youth league, she dreamed of the day of Namibia being free from white minority rule. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has held a number of government posts related to foreign affairs and information. She has been a women's rights advocate and getting the Combating of Domestic Violence Act legislation passed. Her credentials and experience indicate a leader who is going to be capable. Yet, there still are pressing economic concerns. Namibia is classified as an upper  middle income country. This is based on data from the World Bank. The promises of economic transformation have been made, but never materialize. Growing youth unemployment is another concern.  Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and SWAPO must address this, or else voter support will be reduced. Discussion of a run off election has surfaced. The Namibian Supreme Court could make the determination about the legitimacy of ICP claims. SWAPO cannot afford to rest on past deeds, when a younger population was not yet born to witness them. Maintaining political support requires change in  strategy.  

Tanzania And Mozambique Form An Alliance Against Terrorism

 

The escalation of violence has encouraged Tanzania to seek an alliance with Mozambique against terrorism. The combat in the Cabo Delgado region has also gotten the attention of other African nations. Rwanda also has involvement in the conflict. Both countries have not revealed the details of the nature of the security agreements. Tanzanian president Samia Hassan expressed the need for border security with Mozambique. The concern over destabilization of the east and south African region remains a concern. The conflict has been going on since 2017 and all insurgents have not been defeated. The origins of the terrorist group remains unclear. Analysts suggest they are ISIS affiliated. There is a possibility that the terrorist group has a domestic origin. If it is foreign backed it could be used for the purpose of regime change or asymmetric warfare. The Southern African Development Community might have to develop a plan for longtime military operations. Collaboration with the African Union is also a necessity . The question remains of what is the level of involvement of al-Shabab. The group is known to operate in Kenya and Somalia. The terrorist organization could have greater reach across Africa than previously thought. The reason to retake Cabo Delgado is to protect the economic center. Another dire need is to assist the population fleeing the province. The number of internally displaced persons has increased since the beginning of the conflict. The security pacts were a rational choice for Tanzania and Mozambique to ensure regional stability. 

Rwanda Is Conducting Military Operations In Mozambique

 

Rwanda has been fighting in Mozambique. Since August it appears the 1,000 troop force has been successful in taking back control of Cabo Delgado. The armed insurgency is thought to be connected to either ISIS or al-Shabab. There still remains uncertainty if this is entirely local or work from an external terrorist organization. Discord in the area was growing in 2017, which escalated into violence. Rwanda is not the only country active in Mozambique. Mostly African countries of the Southern African Development Community are aiding Mozambique's military. The question is whether or not President Filipe Nyusi will become more dependent on President Paul Kagame. Long term occupations do not work and there is potential for a violation of national sovereignty. Rwanda has seen the horrors of conflict. Having experienced a civil war and genocide military entanglements could endanger the decades of peace. The gas rich region is also of interest to foreign investors, which maybe way it the conflict in Mozambique has gotten more attention. TotalEnergies was forced to halt work on the liquified natural gas project due to the attack in Palma. The conflict will enable Rwanda to have more of an influence in Mozambique. The actions of  regional organizations are being put to the test. The SADC risks making the situation are larger humanitarian crisis if more military operations are conducted. Rwanda could find itself  in a larger war of attrition.