Namibia in the First Decade of Independence: How Democratic?

In the context of the continuing debate between 'optimists and pessimists', this article seeks to evaluate democracy in Namibia in the first decade of independence. Utilizing a minimalist conception of democracy, the article investigates the extent to which the country's democratic constitution has been respected and how the multiparty political system has fared. It considers the record of free and fair elections, and the status of the media and organizations of civil society. The article finds that there are reasons for concern in Namibia today, primary among them the trend toward single party rule, an increasing concentration of power within the executive branch of government and considerable intolerance of democratic political practices, especially among some government leaders. In addition, there have been significant human rights abuses as a result of Namibian involvement in two neighbouring civil wars and an armed insurrection in the North. However, the article concludes that there may still be room for cautious optimism. For example, despite the many challenges, there is evidence of a growing influence on the part of civic organizations and the media in Namibia, and politics have been recently enlivened by the formation of a new political party. Other circumstances related to Namibia's unique transition to democracy also potentially bode well for the future.