Namibia: Reconciliation Ahead

Africa’s last colony is moving toward independence on a promise of reconciliation after an election that was impressive both in its turnout and in its orderliness. The events are a credit to the United Nations, which persevered in its efforts to free the territory in the face of decades of resistance and opposition from South Africa.

The election result itself will reinforce the commitment to reconciliation. The South-West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), which led the struggle for independence and the guerrilla war that challenged South Africa’s control, won 57% of the votes for a constituent assembly that now must draft a national constitution. That margin assures SWAPO a strong but not controlling voice. A two-thirds vote in the assembly is required under the U.N. plan for independence, thus requiring cooperation among the parties. The restraint on SWAPO will be the more welcome following reports of brutal repression of dissidents in its own ranks during the liberation struggle.

SWAPO leader Sam Nujoma, who almost certainly will be Namibia’s first president, struck a conciliatory tone following the election. “There are no losers,” he said. “We are all winners.” And, seeking to reassure minority groups, he said, “We have no intentions of imposing our views on anyone.”

As the election proceeded, SWAPO had modified its once radical platform, abandoning proposals for broad nationalization of the private sector. Nujoma’s commitment will be promptly tested as the constituent assembly convenes and seeks early agreement on a constitution so that independence can be completed early in 1990. United Nations peacekeepers, who supervised the election and certified its results as free and fair, will remain until independence day. So they should.

The United States and many Western European nations have promised assistance. It will be needed. South Africa is leaving the territory with a significant deficit.