Namibia

Namibia is the fifth largest diamond producer in the world and a leader in offshore diamond mining. However, estimates indicate that income distribution is highly skewed in Namibia, which has Gini coefficient of 0.7 (where 0 stands for an equal society and 1 for the most unequal society). Periodic droughts and rising levels of HIV infection have exacerbated poverty levels.

Namibia has a progressive constitution and is a multi-party democracy. However, the political dominance of the ruling SWAPO Party persists. This dominance by SWAPO is attributed to the opposition parties struggle to present themselves as credible alternatives. Furthermore, the ruling party is still able to capitalise on its image as the victors of the liberation struggle, a record of steady, if unremarkable economic growth and public spending that has largely focused on health and education.

Namibia's proportional representation system appears to be encouraging the development of ethnic niche parties whose appeal is to core support groups that can deliver one or two seats in the National Assembly.

There is some concern that Namibia has a weak civil society sector. Few NGOs get involved in hands-on political lobbying and few are prepared to actively attempt to set the agenda on politics, apart from some women's organisations. This may be because government and party rhetoric against certain organisations has had a chilling effect on others becoming more openly political. Many do not get involved and even avoid political controversies. While few are pro-active in lobbying, many organisations do send representatives to government-sponsored workshops on policy matters and give feedback when asked to comment on a draft bill or policy, although they are rarely the initiators of such consultations.

In general the human rights situation has improved since the late 1990s when instability in the north-east of the country was met with security clampdowns, detention without trial, and torture. However, no one has yet been prosecuted for the torture of suspects rounded up in the wake of the armed rebellion in Caprivi in August 1999. Five years after the attack, the trial of over 120 suspects finally got underway in mid-2004, following criticisms from international human rights bodies over the lengthy delay.
While the intensity of rhetoric against gays and lesbians (which reached a pitch when the Home Affairs Minister called for their ‘elimination' in 2000) has lessened, homophobia remains a concern. Violence against women and children continues to be a major problem in Namibia.