Nujoma to step down as party boss

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The founding father of Namibia, Sam Nujoma, has announced he will step down next month as president of the ruling Swapo party after 47 years at the helm.

Mr Nujoma was a co-founder of Swapo when it was formed as a liberation movement in 1960. He became Namibia's first president after 1990 elections.

He then retired as the head of state in 2005, but continued to lead the party.

Namibia's National Society for Human Rights predicts Mr Nujoma may continue to wield influence in the party.

Director Phil ya Nagoloh says he may be planning to take over the position of Swapo chairman, which has been dormant for the last five years.

Swapo still dominates political life in Namibia and Mr Nagolah warned that there would be no genuine transition to democracy and national reconciliation as long as Mr Nujoma remained in a position where he could influence Namibian politics.