Ugly power struggle engulfs Namibia's ruling party

[dArKeR]

AFP , WINDHOEK
Saturday, May 29, 2004,Page 6

Namibia's ruling party began a two-day congress yesterday to pick a successor to veteran President Sam Nujoma, with political temperatures on the rise ahead of the historic meeting -- the first time three candidates have run for the party's top position.

Nujoma, 75, has ruled Namibia since independence in 1990 after leading the struggle against apartheid South Africa for three decades as the president of the South West Peoples' Organization (SWAPO).

He is due to step down following elections in November, heralding a new era in Namibia, a former German colony that was later ruled by Pretoria when it was called South-West Africa.

Three candidates are in contention for the position, all nominated during a special central committee meeting last month, and will be standing for election by some 600 delegates attending the meeting in the capital.

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