Namibia's Geingob must balance competing priorities

Significance

At the SWAPO party congress in late November, Geingob was elected to his first full term as the leader of the ruling party, defeating Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service Jerry Ekandjo and former Prime Minister Nahas Angula by wide margins (574 votes to 153 and 39). Geingob's supporters now also dominate the central committee and politburo, entrenching the incumbent's control and further marginalising radical voices calling for greater income and asset redistribution.

Impacts

• Volatility in Southern African Customs Union revenues could hinder government budgeting targets.
• A hasty pursuit of expansionary fiscal proposals in the mid-2018 and 2019 budgets may undermine official consolidation policy.
• An extended government tax amnesty will be used to plug revenue gaps, but uptake is likely to remain poor.