Africa-Press – Namibia. MINISTER of mines and energy Tom Alweendo on Saturday withdrew from the Khomas region’s Swapo Party Elders’ Council elections.
Alweendo was expected to contest for the council’s treasurer position.
He, however, withdrew from the election because he allegedly does not meet the requirements to be eligible for the position, since he does not serve in any structure of the party in the region.
The elders’ council’s regional conference in Windhoek elected Selma Utoni as regional secretary, while Gideon Ishitile has been elected as regional information secretary.
Rauna Jairus is the new regional treasurer.
Alweendo yesterday declined to comment on his withdrawal.
“Why can’t you ask those who were responsible for the elections?” he asked.
Asked if he has any presidential ambitions, he said: “No comment on that.”
Swapo Khomas regional coordinator Elliot Mbako yesterday said he could not talk, and did not respond to a text message.
Alweendo is one of Swapo’s leaders speculated to contest for the Swapo vice-president position at the party’s elective congress later this year.
Others are minister of defence and veterans affairs France Kapofi and prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.
Whoever wins is likely to take over from president Hage Geingob if Swapo wins the national elections in 2024.
Kapofi last month would not say whether he would contest for the position.
Asked whether he would accept nomination if the party removed the constitutional provision stipulating candidates for top positions should have “consistently and persistently” served as a member of the ruling party’s central committee for 10 years, Kapofi said: “Let us cross that bridge when we get there.”
The Namibian in May this year reported that incumbent Swapo vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Kuugongelwa-Amadhila successfully blocked proposals to amend the specific provision.
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