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.
Federal agents raided the Washington, D.C., home of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar early Monday morning as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed.
Homeland Security Investigations agents arrived at the Minnesota congresswoman’s residence at about 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time, according to a report by Fox News.
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The report said both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the DOJ are involved in the investigation.
A DOJ spokesperson confirmed the operation, stating: “Today in the Washington, D.C. area, Homeland Security Investigations executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the Department of Justice.”
The spokesperson added: “This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.”
Details later……….
Heavy rains have triggered severe flooding across parts of Bangkok, Thailand, forcing nearly 4,900 residents to evacuate to shelters as floodwaters swept through roads and residential areas.
The flooding has disrupted movement across parts of the Thai capital, with motorists and pedestrians forced to navigate submerged roads and seek alternative routes.
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According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, about 52,000 households have been affected by the flooding, prompting authorities to declare a flood disaster and intensify emergency response efforts.
Emergency teams have been deployed to assist affected communities and move residents from vulnerable areas to safer locations as water levels rise.
Bangkok is accustomed to seasonal heavy rainfall, but intense downpours can overwhelm drainage systems, particularly in low-lying areas, resulting in widespread flooding and disruption.
Authorities are continuing to monitor affected locations while coordinating evacuations and other emergency measures.
For thousands of residents, the immediate priority remains securing safe shelter and protecting homes and livelihoods as authorities work to manage the situation and restore normal activities once the floodwaters recede.
US President Donald Trump has explained his decision to reject Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran was seeking an agreement because it was losing revenue.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Iran wanted to immediately reopen the strategically important waterway but argued that the proposal was not acceptable to his administration.
“They want to make a deal, and I think that’s fine. I like making a deal, too, but that deal would not be acceptable,” Trump said.
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According to the US president, Iran’s push to reopen the strait was driven by the economic pressure it was facing.
“What they want to do is immediately open the Hormuz Strait. Do you know why? Because they are dying,” Trump said.
“You know why they’re dying? Because they have no money coming in, because they get their money from the Hormuz Strait.”
Trump also claimed that the US had established an unprecedented naval blockade against Iran, describing it as “a wall of steel.”
“So they outsmarted themselves. We put up the greatest blockade ever in military history. It’s a wall of steel,” he said.
“And guess what? They don’t have any money now because they wanted to close the strait.”
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy shipping route, and disruption to traffic through the waterway has significant implications for international oil markets and countries that depend on energy imports.
Trump’s remarks came amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran over the reopening of the strategic waterway and negotiations involving Iran.
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