History SWAPO

1 history

1.1 background , foundation
1.2 struggle independence
1.3 independent namibia
1.4 election results

history
background , foundation

after world war league of nations gave south west africa, formerly german colony, united kingdom mandate under administration of south africa. when national party won 1948 election in south africa , subsequently introduced apartheid legislation, these laws applied south west africa. considered de facto fifth province of south africa.

swapo founded on 19 april 1960 successor of ovamboland people s organization. leaders renamed party show represented namibians. but, organisation had base among ovambo people of northern namibia, constituted half total population.

struggle independence

during 1962 swapo had emerged dominant nationalist organisation namibian people. co-opted other groups such south west africa national union (swanu), , later in 1976 namibia african people s democratic organisation. swapo used guerrilla tactics fight south african defence force. on 26 august 1966, first major clash of conflict took place, when unit of south african police, supported south african air force, exchanged fire swapo forces.

this date regarded start of became known in south africa border war. in 1972 united nations general assembly recognised swapo sole legitimate representative of namibia s people. norwegian government began giving aid directly swapo in 1974.

the country of angola gained independence on 11 november 1975 following war independence. leftist popular movement liberation of angola (mpla), supported cuba , soviet union, came power. in march 1976, mpla offered swapo bases in angola launching attacks against south african military.

independent namibia

when namibia gained independence in 1990, swapo became dominant political party. though organisation rejected term south west africa , insisted on replacing namibia, organisation s own name—derived territory s old name—was rooted in independence movement changed. however, original full name no longer used; acronym remains.

swapo president sam nujoma declared namibia s first president after swapo won inaugural election in 1989. decade later nujoma had constitution changed run third term in 1999, limits presidency 2 terms.

in 2004 swapo presidential candidate hifikepunye pohamba, described nujoma s hand-picked successor. in 2014 swapo presidential candidate hage geingob vice-president of swapo.

election results

swapo election campaign vehicle