Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08WINDHOEK279
2008-09-09 13:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Windhoek
Cable title:
PRESIDENT CREATES STANDALONE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
how-toVZCZCXRO8548 PP RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHWD #0279 2531320 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 091320Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0057 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L WINDHOEK 000279
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/S AND INR
STATE PASS TO USAID
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR WA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT CREATES STANDALONE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
Classified By: Ambassador Mathieu, for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
Summary
-----------
C O N F I D E N T I A L WINDHOEK 000279
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/S AND INR
STATE PASS TO USAID
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR WA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT CREATES STANDALONE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
Classified By: Ambassador Mathieu, for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
Summary
--------------
1. (U) On September 8 President Hifikepunye Pohamba acted to split
the Office of the Attorney General from the Justice Ministry,
appointing Dr Albert Kawana as interim Attorney General. The move to
decouple the offices has been met with support from legal
professionals and opposition parties. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) On September 8 President Hifikepunye Pohamba acted to split
the Office of the Attorney General from the Justice Ministry,
appointing SWAPO loyalist Dr Albert Kawana as interim Attorney
General. The Minster of Justice and SWAPO General Secretary
Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, who previously performed the duties of the
Attorney General, will remain the Minister of Justice.
3. (U) The appointment of Dr. Albert Kawana comes after SWAPO
members loyal to former president Sam Nujoma, last month, apparently
rejected President Pohamba's first choice for the Attorney General
post, lawyer Hosea Angula. SWAPO cadres close to Nujoma did not
support Angula as some questioned his loyalty to the ruling party.
4. (U) Legal professionals and opposition political parties, who
have had a troubled relationship with the Minister of Justice, have
called the decision to decouple the Office of the Attorney General
from the Minister of Justice's portfolio a positive step.
Comment
--------------
5. (C) Some SWAPO insiders consider the decision to split the
positions of Attorney General and Minister of Justice, held by the
SWAPO Secretary General, as an essential demonstration of President
Pohamba's conviction and power to exercise his presidential
authorities in spite of SWAPO party hardliners. The appointment of
an established party operative, however, may have made the decision
more palatable to those opposed. It remains to be seen whether
Kawana's temporary appointment will be confirmed, or whether an
outsider will ultimately be appointed. Increasing calls to promote
government officials based on their ruling party credentials comes as
a result of heightened suspicions within SWAPO, especially among
hardliners linked to former President Sam Nujoma, concerning who in
the SWAPO leadership is affiliated with the new opposition party, the
Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP). The formation of the RDP,
founded by disgruntled former SWAPO heavyweights, has exposed
cleavages in SWAPO pitting party hardliners affiliated with Nujoma
against more moderate elements in the party.
MATHIEU
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/S AND INR
STATE PASS TO USAID
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR WA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT CREATES STANDALONE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
Classified By: Ambassador Mathieu, for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
Summary
--------------
1. (U) On September 8 President Hifikepunye Pohamba acted to split
the Office of the Attorney General from the Justice Ministry,
appointing Dr Albert Kawana as interim Attorney General. The move to
decouple the offices has been met with support from legal
professionals and opposition parties. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) On September 8 President Hifikepunye Pohamba acted to split
the Office of the Attorney General from the Justice Ministry,
appointing SWAPO loyalist Dr Albert Kawana as interim Attorney
General. The Minster of Justice and SWAPO General Secretary
Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, who previously performed the duties of the
Attorney General, will remain the Minister of Justice.
3. (U) The appointment of Dr. Albert Kawana comes after SWAPO
members loyal to former president Sam Nujoma, last month, apparently
rejected President Pohamba's first choice for the Attorney General
post, lawyer Hosea Angula. SWAPO cadres close to Nujoma did not
support Angula as some questioned his loyalty to the ruling party.
4. (U) Legal professionals and opposition political parties, who
have had a troubled relationship with the Minister of Justice, have
called the decision to decouple the Office of the Attorney General
from the Minister of Justice's portfolio a positive step.
Comment
--------------
5. (C) Some SWAPO insiders consider the decision to split the
positions of Attorney General and Minister of Justice, held by the
SWAPO Secretary General, as an essential demonstration of President
Pohamba's conviction and power to exercise his presidential
authorities in spite of SWAPO party hardliners. The appointment of
an established party operative, however, may have made the decision
more palatable to those opposed. It remains to be seen whether
Kawana's temporary appointment will be confirmed, or whether an
outsider will ultimately be appointed. Increasing calls to promote
government officials based on their ruling party credentials comes as
a result of heightened suspicions within SWAPO, especially among
hardliners linked to former President Sam Nujoma, concerning who in
the SWAPO leadership is affiliated with the new opposition party, the
Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP). The formation of the RDP,
founded by disgruntled former SWAPO heavyweights, has exposed
cleavages in SWAPO pitting party hardliners affiliated with Nujoma
against more moderate elements in the party.
MATHIEU