The Cost of Parliamentary Paralysis

The national assembly on Wednesday erupted into an all too familiar spectacle.

After the tea break, the chamber descended into a cacophony of noise as opposition parliamentarians challenged speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila over her handling of proceedings.

The flashpoint: authorising finance minister Ericah Shafudah to present a speech on behalf of prime minister Elijah Ngurare, triggered fierce resistance from Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) president McHenry Venaani, PDM’s Inna Hengari, Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda, and Independent Patriots for Change’s Rodrick Likando.

As shouting drowned out debate, the Speaker abruptly adjourned the sitting.

This is not an isolated hiccup.