Namibia Faces Historic Election with Potential First Female President

The ruling SWAPO party confronts its toughest challenge yet, as opposition candidates and young voters push for change in a nation grappling with inequality and unemployment.

• Namibia will hold presidential and parliamentary elections on Wednesday, with SWAPO's Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah vying to become the country’s first female president.
• SWAPO, in power since Namibia's independence in 1990, faces declining support due to corruption allegations, economic inequality, and youth unemployment.
• Panduleni Itula, a former SWAPO member now leading the Independent Patriots for Change, is seen as a strong opposition contender after securing 29% of the vote in 2019.
• Young voters, who make up over half the electorate, are expected to play a decisive role as many express discontent with SWAPO’s governance and lack of job opportunities.
• Recent political shifts in southern Africa, including the ANC and BDP losing power in South Africa and Botswana, have heightened expectations of potential change in Namibia’s leadership.

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Associated Press