Rally for Democracy and Progress (Namibia)

The Rally for Democracy and Progress is an opposition political party in Namibia. It was launched on November 17 2007 under the leadership of Hidipo Hamutenya and Jesaya Nyamu, both former leading members of the ruling SWAPO party and cabinet ministers. Hamutenya had unsuccessfully sought the SWAPO nomination for President in 2004. At the time of the RDP's launch, it was considered to represent the strongest challenge to SWAPO's political dominance since the country gained its independence in 1990. According to Hamutenya, speaking at the RDP's launch, the party was "born in response to our people's deep longing for a vision, political direction and the rekindling of their hopes and aspiration for a better and prosperous future". [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/18/africa/AF-POL-Namibia-New-Party.php "New Namibian political party launched in challenge to ruling party"] , Associated Press ("International Herald Tribune"), November 18, 2007.]

Speaking at a SWAPO rally on January 19 2008, SWAPO Secretary-General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana accused the RDP of spreading lies and promoting tribalism. [Absalom Shigwedha, [http://allafrica.com/stories/200801210697.html "Namibia: Swapo Lays Into RDP"] , "The Namibian" (allAfrica.com), January 21, 2008.] In early August 2008, she characterized the RDP as a tribal party "targeting the Oukwanyama in the Ohangwena Region". [Brigitte Weidlich, [http://www.namibian.com.na/2008/August/national/081C85F805.html "Swapo faces onslaught"] , "The Namibian", August 5, 2008.]

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