Kunene political tensions hamper development, warns analyst

By: Envaalde Matheus

Political analyst, Rui Tyitende, warns that political tensions and governance failures are slowing development in the Kunene Region.

Tjitende’s remarks come after recent developments in the region involving unpaid councillors, governance disputes within the regional council, and a boycott of the State of the Region Address by regional councillors.

Tyitende said the region continues to struggle to convert its natural resource wealth into meaningful development, despite its vast potential.

He said while political dynamics between the regional and central government structures may affect coordination, the deeper challenge lies in weak implementation, institutional tensions, and competing political interests.

Tyitende added that governance disputes and poor service delivery undermine investor confidence and delay development for residents.

“To a large extent, the politics in the Kunene Region is largely driven by the ego of politicians, whether they be in the governing party or the opposition,” he said.

Tyitende said the needs of ordinary residents are being sidelined amid drought and ongoing development challenges in the region.

“The Ovahimba people, especially during drought season, struggle with their animals. Some lose their animals. They lose their livelihoods,” he said.

Tyitende said while the government is providing drought relief, such interventions are not sustainable in the long term.

“We do not see massive investments in the agricultural sector, for example,” he said.

Tyitende said weak political leadership in the region is contributing to slow development.

“There’s no economic leadership in the region because of this factionalism. Brothers fighting each other because of who is at the table,” he said.

Urban and rural development minister, James Sankwasa, visited the region on Wednesday to address governance challenges and engage both regional leaders and the community.

Sankwasa said the purpose of his visit was to resolve issues affecting the functionality of the regional council, while working with residents to find solutions to challenges.

“Your children working for the regional council, your sisters and brothers, were not paid as per payday. Because there was one issue that was pending: the existence of an accounting officer who should account for state money in terms of the law,” he said.

Sankwasa said the council had no legally appointed accounting officer, meaning state funds could not be properly managed, and confirmed an acting official will be appointed.

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