Kavango west: Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, has requested written statements from all parties involved in the Uukwangali Traditional Authority chieftainship dispute as a crucial step toward final resolution.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the request follows a meeting at the Kavango West Regional Council offices, where the minister outlined clear next steps to resolve the prolonged dispute between Eugene Kudumo, who was officially crowned chief in 2015, and a faction led by Severinus Siteketa and Rudolf Ngondo, who challenged Kudumo's legitimacy.

The meeting included the minister and representatives from the royal family, where both parties confirmed that the chieftainship follows a matrilineal succession, with leadership passing through the mother's side. Minister Sankwasa recapped that the dispute arose following the death of Chief Daniel Sitentu Mpasi, whose succession was later contested in court due to procedural irregularities. The court subsequently set aside Eugene Siwombe Kudumo's chieftainship and ordered both parties to adhere to traditional procedures for selecting the Ukwangali chief.

'The court set aside Siwombe's chieftainship due to procedural issues and ordered both parties to follow traditional procedures for the chieftainship of Ukwangali,' Sankwasa explained to the gathered royal family representatives. The minister outlined three traditional methods for nominating a chief: by the reigning chief, the royal family, or the Masimbi (traditional council).

Sankwasa expressed concern about the dispute's prolonged nature, attributing delays to dishonesty among some elders and the involvement of younger community members unfamiliar with traditional customs. 'The prolonged dispute is attributed to the involvement of young people who do not understand the culture,' he noted.

The absence of recognized leadership has created practical challenges for the community, particularly regarding land allocation and other administrative matters traditionally handled by chiefs. The minister emphasized the critical choice facing the community between maintaining cultural integrity through traditional selection processes or adopting modern electoral systems. He, however, cautioned that abandoning traditional practices could result in a loss of cultural identity.

The written statements requested by Sankwasa will help clarify outstanding issues and facilitate the final resolution, demonstrating the government's commitment to preserving traditional governance structures while ensuring proper procedural compliance.