Namibia Holds Crucial Presidential Election

Namibian voters faced long queues on November 27 as they participated in a highly competitive election, which could potentially lead to the country's first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the ruling SWAPO party. This election is crucial, with SWAPO experiencing declining support from 87% in 2014 to 56% in 2019, amid rising public frustration over high unemployment and inequality. Nandi-Ndaitwah's main challenger is Panduleni Itula from the opposition Independent Patriots for Change, who could appeal to younger voters dissatisfied with the current administration. If no candidate secures over 50% of the votes, a runoff will be held within 60 days. Results from the election are expected within a few days, and analysts suggest that SWAPO may face a significant challenge due to the growing discontent among the youth and urban populations. Approximately 1.4 million Namibians are registered to vote in this pivotal election.