Namibia’s ruling SWAPO party has secured victory in the November 27 elections, paving the way for Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to become the country’s first female president. The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) announced that Nandi-Ndaitwah, a 72-year-old SWAPO stalwart, won with just over 57% of the votes, defeating Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), who garnered 25.5%.

However, the election has been fraught with controversy. The IPC has refused to recognize the results, citing irregularities, including extended voting periods due to ballot shortages and malfunctioning voter registration tablets. “It was a deliberate attempt to frustrate voters,” Itula claimed, vowing to challenge the outcome in court.

Observers, including a southern African human rights group, criticized the delays as systemic failures, although the ECN reported that 77% of the 1.5 million registered voters participated.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, often referred to as NNN, will lead a mineral-rich nation grappling with high youth unemployment (46%) and uneven wealth distribution despite its status as a major uranium and diamond exporter.

Promising to create jobs through economic diplomacy, Nandi-Ndaitwah represents a milestone for gender representation in Africa. Her presidency will also test SWAPO’s hold on power amid a regional decline in support for liberation-era parties.