South Africa’s decision to accept independence was influenced partly by the weakness of its political clients inside Namibia. After the collapse of the DTA administration, another political experiment was attempted with participation from groups and individuals drawn from Namibia’s various population groups. This Multi-Party Conference produced a new constitutional arrangement.

In June 1985, under Proclamation 101, the arrangement became an Interim Government of National Unity, also called the Transitional Government of National Unity. It consisted of a National Assembly and a Ministers’ Council, and was intended to provide an internal form of independence.

The government failed to complete the constitution required for that purpose. A Bill of Rights was introduced under Proclamation 101, but the source states that it was more frequently breached than observed. Second-tier regional administrations continued to operate, yet their weak financial control generated corruption, favouritism and mismanagement.

The arrangement therefore became an expensive and ineffective political structure. The shortcomings of internal government contributed to the wider failure of South Africa’s attempt to manage Namibia through local administrations before the implementation of the United Nations settlement.