Namibia held its contentious 2024 elections, resulting in the election of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the first female president under allegations of voter suppression and irregularities. The recently enacted Marriage Act, 2024, which excludes same-sex couples and transgender individuals from marriage rights, has faced nationwide protests from various human rights organizations and coalitions, echoing the pressing need for social equality.
In Namibia, the 2024 general elections took place on the 29th and 30th of November after being postponed from an original date of the 27th. Over 1.4 million Namibians participated in this pivotal electoral process, marking the seventh election since the nation’s independence in 1990. The ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) emerged victorious, with Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah becoming Namibia’s first female president, securing 58.07% of the popular vote.
However, the integrity of the election results has been called into question. On January 15, 2025, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), supported by other opposition parties, initiated legal action against the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN). Allegations of voter suppression, electoral irregularities, and technical malfunctions that delayed voting were cited, raising concerns about this election being one of the most contested in Namibia’s democratic history.
Despite these disputes, the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) affirmed that the elections were conducted peacefully and complied with Namibia’s legal electoral framework. On the legislative front, the Marriage Act, 2024, was enacted, prohibiting the recognition of same-sex marriages domestically and nullifying those performed internationally.
President Nangolo Mbumba signed the Marriage Act into law on October 2, 2024, countering a previous Supreme Court decision that mandated recognition of same-sex marriages. The new legislation explicitly defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, imposing penalties on marriage officers who officiate same-sex unions.
Additionally, the Act denies marriage rights for transgender individuals, adhering to a biological definition of sex. This legislative movement followed widespread protests organized by the Christian Coalition of Churches in Namibia, which advocated for the definition of marriage to align with traditional values. Human rights organizations have criticized the law as discriminatory and unconstitutional.
In other civil rights issues, activist Jimmy Areseb was arrested on January 6, 2025, for allegedly breaching public order during protests against officials linked to bribery scandals involving a Chinese mining company. Tensions escalated in the Erongo region when demonstrators were forcibly dispersed, leading to public outrage and highlighting the contentious relationship between citizens and government authorities.
The 2024 general elections in Namibia were marked by significant participation and the election of the nation’s first female president; however, legal disputes regarding the election results indicate deep concerns about electoral integrity. Furthermore, the new Marriage Act has drawn widespread condemnation for excluding same-sex couples and restricting marriage rights for transgender individuals, highlighting ongoing human rights challenges in the country. Activism around these social issues is intensifying, as seen in the recent protests against government actions.
Original Source: monitor.civicus.org
