International News
Namibia Elects First Female President Amid Controversial Polls
Namibia’s ruling SWAPO party has declared victory in last week’s tightly contested election, ushering in Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the country’s first female president.
The announcement marks a historic moment for the southern African nation but comes amid allegations of irregularities that have cast a shadow over the results.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) confirmed that Nandi-Ndaitwah secured 57% of the vote, defeating Panduleni Itula of the opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), who received 25.5%.
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However, the IPC has rejected the results, citing widespread failures in the electoral process.
“The IPC shall not recognise the outcome of that election,” said Itula, accusing the electoral commission of mismanagement. He pointed to what he described as a “multitude of irregularities” and vowed to challenge the results through Namibia’s legal system.
Addressing supporters last week, Itula called for calm while urging them to “stand firm to ensure that we shall not be robbed [or] denied our democratic right to choose our leaders.”
IPC spokesperson Imms Nashinge reiterated the party’s stance after the results were announced, maintaining that the election lacked credibility.
The election, originally scheduled for November 27, was extended to November 30 due to logistical challenges, including a shortage of ballot papers and malfunctioning electronic voter registration devices.
Many voters reportedly waited up to 12 hours, with some leaving polling stations without casting their ballots.
An organization of southern African human rights lawyers monitoring the polls described the delays as “intentional and widespread.”
The IPC similarly alleged that the logistical issues were a deliberate effort to suppress voter turnout.
The ECN acknowledged the failures, with its chairperson, Elsie Nghikembua, calling for unity. “Elections are competitive by nature, but democracy calls upon us to unite once the votes have been counted.
“I urge all Namibians to embrace the results with the spirit of unity, diversity, understanding, and reconciliation,” she said.
The election was seen as a critical test for SWAPO, which has governed Namibia since independence in 1990.
The party’s support has waned in recent years, particularly among younger voters frustrated by high unemployment and economic inequality.
Unemployment among Namibians aged 15 to 34 is estimated at 46%, nearly triple the national average.
While SWAPO retained its majority in the National Assembly with 51 seats, this marked a significant drop from its previous 63 seats. The IPC secured 20 seats, solidifying its role as the main opposition party.
At 72, Nandi-Ndaitwah becomes one of the few female leaders on the African continent.
Known for her steady demeanor and often seen wearing the red, blue, and green colors of SWAPO, she campaigned on a platform of economic diplomacy and job creation.
“Fellow Namibians, we must work together to address unemployment, inequality, and infrastructure development,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said after the results were announced.
As the daughter of an Anglican pastor, she has long been a prominent figure in Namibian politics, serving as vice president since February and as a trusted stalwart within SWAPO.
Despite being a major exporter of uranium and diamonds, Namibia faces significant economic challenges.
Analysts say much of the country’s wealth has not translated into improved infrastructure or job opportunities for its nearly three million citizens.
A devastating fire has swept through a girls’ boarding school in central Kenya, leaving at least 16 students dead and dozens more injured in one of the country’s worst school tragedies in recent years.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday at Utumishi Girls Academy, located in Nakuru County, roughly 120 kilometres north of Nairobi. Authorities said the fire broke out around 1:00 a.m. while about 220 students were asleep inside the dormitory.
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Emergency responders, including the Kenyan Red Cross and local security agencies, rushed to the scene and evacuated survivors.
At least 73 students have been hospitalised with varying degrees of burns and smoke inhalation, while rescue operations and search efforts continued into the morning.
Police sources said the cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations have been launched to determine what triggered the deadly blaze.
The affected dormitory has since been cordoned off as forensic teams examine the scene.
Parents gathered anxiously outside the school as authorities worked to account for all students. Officials have urged calm, assuring that full details will be released once investigations are completed.
The tragedy adds to a troubling history of school dormitory fires in Kenya, where boarding schools remain common.
In previous years, similar incidents have raised serious concerns about safety standards and emergency preparedness in educational institutions.
Government officials are expected to revisit school safety regulations following the latest disaster.
Global oil prices climbed sharply on Thursday following reports of a new United States military strike on Iran, raising fresh concerns over stability in the Middle East and possible disruptions to global energy supplies.
Brent crude rose significantly in early trading, while West Texas Intermediate also recorded gains as investors reacted to renewed hostilities and uncertainty around the fragile ceasefire in the region.
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According to reports, the latest US action included targeted strikes on Iranian positions following a series of drone and maritime incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military described its operations as “measured and defensive,” aimed at preventing further escalation and protecting strategic interests in the region.
The developments triggered immediate reactions across global financial markets, with Asian stocks mostly declining amid fears that prolonged conflict could disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical route for nearly a fifth of global crude supply.
Market analysts warn that sustained instability could push energy prices even higher, fueling inflationary pressures worldwide and potentially forcing central banks to maintain tighter monetary policies.
In Asia, major indices recorded losses, while tech-driven gains in select markets were overshadowed by broader investor caution. Safe-haven assets strengthened slightly as traders moved away from riskier positions.
Economists say the situation remains highly volatile, with conflicting signals from Washington and Tehran adding to uncertainty.
Any further escalation, they caution, could send oil prices even higher and deepen global economic pressure.
For now, investors are closely watching diplomatic developments and military activity in the region, as the world braces for possible further shocks to energy markets.
The United States has issued its strongest travel advisory against Uganda, warning citizens to completely avoid travel to the country due to an ongoing outbreak of Ebola virus disease.
In the updated alert, the United States Department of State upgraded Uganda’s travel status to Level 4, the highest risk classification, which is widely understood as a “Do Not Travel” warning.
The decision was based on serious health threats and the rapid spread of the virus in affected areas.
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Authorities also warned of the risk of cross-border transmission, noting that continued movement across neighbouring countries could worsen the situation despite ongoing containment efforts.
Previously, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had placed Uganda under a lower-level health advisory, advising travellers to take standard precautions.
However, a surge in infections and deteriorating conditions led to the tightening of restrictions.
Meanwhile, Ugandan authorities have stepped up emergency response measures, including stricter border surveillance, movement restrictions in affected zones, and reductions in public transportation and market activities in high-risk areas.
Health agencies remain on high alert as the outbreak continues to raise concern over possible regional spread across East Africa.
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