Which foreign ‘election influencers’ are holier?

Commentators have argued that neither Swapo nor the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has the moral ground to accuse the other of being influenced by foreigners, as both parties have seemingly used a variety of foreign influencers and politicians in their political campaigns.In recent weeks, IPC has gained the misnomer ‘London Party’ due to its supposed ties to Britain, where its leader, Dr Panduleni Itula, lived for decades.The party has consistently rubbished this claim, branding it as cheap propaganda by Swapo.The presence of British High Commissioner Charles Moore at the Walvis Bay mayoral fund fundraising dinner last Saturday, which Swapo councillors at the town had snubbed, only worsened the accusation.The IPC currently controls the town council.Fabrications Moore was allegedly the only ambassador present at the event, but he told Namibian Sun this week he has attended the Walvis Bay mayoral fund fundraiser for the past three years, adding that he was proud to support such a charitable event.He added that the British High Commission has no ties with the IPC and that they engage politicians across the political landscape in Namibia.“There are no links between the IPC and the UK government, and such allegations have been proven to be entirely fabricated,” he said.“Like all diplomatic missions in Namibia, the British High Commission takes a close interest in Namibian politics, engaging with politicians across the political spectrum. Indeed, the Namibian High Commission in London engages with all UK political parties and devolved governments. Such activity is standard and global diplomatic practice.”Everyone welcomeWalvis Bay mayor Trevino Forbes, the IPC vice-president, explained that the municipality extended an invitation to all embassies in Namibia but only Moore accepted the invitation. “The British high commissioner has been a guest at the mayoral gala dinner for a number of years,” he said, debunking any linkages between his party and Britain.“We invite all of our ambassadors to come to that event. This year he [Moore] was the only one who attended at that time. We invite the Spanish ambassador, the French ambassador, all of them, all the ambassadors that this office has contact with," Forbes said. Support from across bordersIPC has also enjoyed strong backing from Zimbabwean political activist Ali Naka, who is based in South Africa. A prolific social media user, Naka has serialised Swapo’s failures on his X account while encouraging Namibians to vote IPC.Naka says Swapo’s governance record is reminiscent of the way Zanu-PF has mismanaged Zimbabwe – and calls for the total removal of failing liberation movements in southern Africa.Similarly, Swapo has enjoyed backing from Zanu-PF officials and their social media accounts.In July, a Swapo delegation, led by its secretary general Sophia Shaningwa, visited Zanu-PF in Harare, where they were hosted by her counterpart, Obert Mpofu.It is alleged that Mpofu was in Eenhana last week, alongside Nkosazana Dlamini of South Africa’s liberation party ANC, to attend the Swapo rally. It is also alleged that Swapo received financial support from the Chinese Communist Party, with Shaningwa having visited China in May this year.‘Hypocritical’ accusationsIn a bid to boost its electoral fortunes, Swapo in September invited South African musicians Master KG, Heavy-K and Blaq Diamond to its star rally in Windhoek.Political commentator and editor of Namibia Fact Check, Fredriko Links, says it is hypocritical for Namibians to single out IPC and accuse it of being foreign-funded, while Swapo’s flirtation with foreign entities and a parade of foreign figures at its events is barely scrutinised.“It is so hypocritical for supporters of one party to be accusing another of being foreign funded or [having] foreign influence, while foreign political party representatives are at the ruling party events and actively contributing at these platforms. So, it is quite rich that such an accusation is made,” he said.kenya@nmh-hub.com.na#NamibiaDecidees2024

Which foreign ‘election influencers’ are holier?

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-21

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Which foreign ‘election influencers’ are holier?

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-21

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