Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila Elected as Speaker of National Assembly

Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has been elected Speaker of the National Assembly for a five-year term. She has a long history in government and is the first woman to lead Namibia’s parliament, despite some viewing her election as a demotion from her prior position as Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has been elected as the Speaker of the National Assembly for a five-year term. Her election followed the swearing-in ceremony of new members on Thursday. Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda proposed Swapo parliamentarian Elijah Ngurare for the position; however, he declined. Imms Nashinge from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) nominated Bernadus Swartbooi from the Landless People’s Movement, who subsequently faced Kuugongelwa-Amadhila in the election.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has been a National Assembly member since 1995 and served as Minister of Finance from 2003 until 2015. Furthermore, she was the Prime Minister of Namibia from 21 March 2015 to 20 March 2025, making her the first woman to hold this esteemed position. While some may view her appointment as Speaker as a demotion, she has once again made history as the first woman to lead Namibia’s parliament.

In summary, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has been elected as the Speaker of the National Assembly. Her long-standing service in various governmental roles, along with her historic achievement as a leading figure in parliament, showcases her significant contributions to Namibian politics. Her election is an important milestone in the nation’s governance.

Original Source: www.namibian.com.na