EDITORIAL: Which enemies, President Mbumba?
“Those who are planning to disturb peace, unity and economic development in Namibia are enemies of all our people.”
This statement by President Nangolo Mbumba at Katima Mulilo yesterday during Independence Day celebrations warrants serious probing. Mbumba must take the nation into his confidence and unmask those he said were disturbing the peace. It’s a serious statement that suggests our national security is in grave danger.
If the situation is so dire to the extent that it was included in the official address on Independence Day, Namibians have every reason to be concerned. They deserve more details on this.
In the absence of details, it’s easy to assume this was another sweeping and negligent statement directed at defiant Namibians, such as young unemployed graduates who chose yesterday to spend the day differently by marching in the streets of Windhoek to herald their plight.
On the same day in 2023, a similar march ended with the arrest of activists and opposition politicians. People with legitimate concerns, such as joblessness or landlessness, are painted as enemies of the state who are hell-bent on disturbing peace and stability.
Yet, for those affected by these challenges, neither peace nor stability exist in their lives. As if being deprived of opportunities was not enough, now they are branded ‘enemies’ in presidential speeches – or arrested. It’s a cheap way to distract Namibians from the failures of government.
Fearmongering is an old trick to manipulate people by using exaggerated rumours of impending danger where none exists.
This statement by President Nangolo Mbumba at Katima Mulilo yesterday during Independence Day celebrations warrants serious probing. Mbumba must take the nation into his confidence and unmask those he said were disturbing the peace. It’s a serious statement that suggests our national security is in grave danger.
If the situation is so dire to the extent that it was included in the official address on Independence Day, Namibians have every reason to be concerned. They deserve more details on this.
In the absence of details, it’s easy to assume this was another sweeping and negligent statement directed at defiant Namibians, such as young unemployed graduates who chose yesterday to spend the day differently by marching in the streets of Windhoek to herald their plight.
On the same day in 2023, a similar march ended with the arrest of activists and opposition politicians. People with legitimate concerns, such as joblessness or landlessness, are painted as enemies of the state who are hell-bent on disturbing peace and stability.
Yet, for those affected by these challenges, neither peace nor stability exist in their lives. As if being deprived of opportunities was not enough, now they are branded ‘enemies’ in presidential speeches – or arrested. It’s a cheap way to distract Namibians from the failures of government.
Fearmongering is an old trick to manipulate people by using exaggerated rumours of impending danger where none exists.
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Namibian Sun
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