Namibia: Theofelus Wants MPs Held Accountable

What the report says

Information and communication technology minister Emma Theofelus has criticized opposition members of parliament who walked out of Namibia’s National Assembly during a Tuesday voting session, urging that they be held accountable for behavior she said undermines parliamentary work. The remarks came during debate over the nomination of Gerson Sindano to chair the Electoral Commission of Namibia, when the vote was delayed because the chamber lacked a quorum.

According to The Namibian, the walkout left only the All People’s Party and the United Democratic Front in the chamber as the vote stalled. Theofelus questioned whether MPs should be able to leave proceedings and then return as if nothing had happened, arguing that elected officials have a duty to participate in legislative business.

She also said the walkout wasted the assembly’s time and gave the public the wrong impression about Parliament’s role. Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila acknowledged the concern and said the issue should be taken up through the proper parliamentary channels for a final decision.

The dispute highlights broader concerns about quorum, discipline and accountability in legislatures. In general, quorum rules are intended to ensure that key decisions are made with sufficient representation, while walkouts can be used by opposition parties to protest procedures or nominations.