A Party for the People, by the People? SWAPO and the struggle for political legitimacy, 1960-1978.

Abstract

I aim to answer how SWAPO (South West Africa People’s Organisation) gained legitimacy and became formally recognized as the “sole legitimate representative” of the Namibian people1. SWAPO’s progression to such recognition was anything but inevitable, contrary to the portrayal by current and historical leaders of SWAPO, such as the former president of the party, Samuel Nujoma. While the UN cited SWAPO’s formal international recognition in 1973, it was not enforceable under International Law. I suggest that a stronger case can be made for 1978 when Resolution 435 gained the backing of all permanent Security Council members and South Africa was forced to recognize SWAPO.