Group calls for referendum to resolve Zambezi political tension
Calls on govt to guide local officials on petition handling
The decades-long political tension surrounding the status of the Zambezi region, historically known as the Caprivi Strip, has reached a critical juncture.
Following Zambezi regional governor Dorothy Kabula’s recent refusal to accept a petition calling for a referendum, the Caprivi Concerned Group (CCG) has intensified its call for a democratic resolution.
For the CCG, the path forward is clear: a referendum is not merely a request, but the only legitimate instrument capable of settling the dispute once and for all.
The current friction stems from an incident on 18 December, when the regional governor declined to receive a formal petition from the United Democratic Party (UDP).
Namibia’s late founding president, Sam Nujoma, banned the UDP in 2006.
The petition explicitly called for a referendum on the Caprivi political dispute.
CCG secretary-general Mubita Linyando said he viewed the governor's refusal to accept the petition as a significant setback for constitutional democracy.
The CCG argues that the right to petition public authorities is a fundamental constitutional right, closely linked to the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
The group argues that by refusing to acknowledge the document, the governor bypassed the spirit of accountability required of public officials.
“Receiving a petition does not amount to endorsing its contents; it merely acknowledges the right of citizens to be heard,” the CCG said in a recent press release.
Linyando emphasised that the governor’s role is simply to forward such communication to central government, regardless of whether the content aligns with personal or political views.
Historical mandate
At the core of the CCG’s platform is the belief that the current administration of the region lacks a formal historical mandate derived from the explicit will of the local population.
To Linyando and the group, the status quo represents an unresolved legacy that requires a modern, democratic solution.
“The will of the people has to be respected. That’s why we have been calling for the referendum. This is the only instrument that can settle this dispute,” Linyando stressed.
The call for a referendum, the CCG insists, is not an act of rebellion but a commitment to constitutional processes and the rule of law.
It seeks formal clarification of the region’s status, which the group argues has remained ambiguous since independence.
CCG acknowledges concerns about potential displacement or social upheaval for those who identify as Namibian or have invested in the region.
Linyando drew parallels with South Africa’s transition after apartheid, arguing that people should be free to choose their national identity and place of residence without coercion.
He said the CCG would accept the outcome of a referendum, regardless of the result.
“Should the majority say, ‘we are part of Namibia,’ like me, I will respect that will of the people,” he said.
Stabilising tool
The group views the referendum as a stabilising tool rather than a disruptive one.
A clear vote, it argues, would settle the debate through the highest democratic authority – the electorate.
The CCG maintains that democracy is weakened when lawful voices are ignored and strengthened when institutions protect the rights of all citizens, including those expressing controversial views.
The organisation is now appealing to government to advise local officials on their obligation to receive and process petitions.
The Caprivi dispute has persisted for decades, most notably marked by the events of 1999.
According to the CCG, silence and administrative obstruction will not resolve the issue. Instead, the group is calling for a transparent, supervised process to determine the region’s future.
For Linyando and the CCG, a referendum represents the ultimate democratic settlement – a way to move beyond historical grievances and build a future based on the documented consent of the governed.
The group remains steadfast that lasting peace and justice can only be achieved by allowing the people to speak.
[email protected]
Following Zambezi regional governor Dorothy Kabula’s recent refusal to accept a petition calling for a referendum, the Caprivi Concerned Group (CCG) has intensified its call for a democratic resolution.
For the CCG, the path forward is clear: a referendum is not merely a request, but the only legitimate instrument capable of settling the dispute once and for all.
The current friction stems from an incident on 18 December, when the regional governor declined to receive a formal petition from the United Democratic Party (UDP).
Namibia’s late founding president, Sam Nujoma, banned the UDP in 2006.
The petition explicitly called for a referendum on the Caprivi political dispute.
CCG secretary-general Mubita Linyando said he viewed the governor's refusal to accept the petition as a significant setback for constitutional democracy.
The CCG argues that the right to petition public authorities is a fundamental constitutional right, closely linked to the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
The group argues that by refusing to acknowledge the document, the governor bypassed the spirit of accountability required of public officials.
“Receiving a petition does not amount to endorsing its contents; it merely acknowledges the right of citizens to be heard,” the CCG said in a recent press release.
Linyando emphasised that the governor’s role is simply to forward such communication to central government, regardless of whether the content aligns with personal or political views.
Historical mandate
At the core of the CCG’s platform is the belief that the current administration of the region lacks a formal historical mandate derived from the explicit will of the local population.
To Linyando and the group, the status quo represents an unresolved legacy that requires a modern, democratic solution.
“The will of the people has to be respected. That’s why we have been calling for the referendum. This is the only instrument that can settle this dispute,” Linyando stressed.
The call for a referendum, the CCG insists, is not an act of rebellion but a commitment to constitutional processes and the rule of law.
It seeks formal clarification of the region’s status, which the group argues has remained ambiguous since independence.
CCG acknowledges concerns about potential displacement or social upheaval for those who identify as Namibian or have invested in the region.
Linyando drew parallels with South Africa’s transition after apartheid, arguing that people should be free to choose their national identity and place of residence without coercion.
He said the CCG would accept the outcome of a referendum, regardless of the result.
“Should the majority say, ‘we are part of Namibia,’ like me, I will respect that will of the people,” he said.
Stabilising tool
The group views the referendum as a stabilising tool rather than a disruptive one.
A clear vote, it argues, would settle the debate through the highest democratic authority – the electorate.
The CCG maintains that democracy is weakened when lawful voices are ignored and strengthened when institutions protect the rights of all citizens, including those expressing controversial views.
The organisation is now appealing to government to advise local officials on their obligation to receive and process petitions.
The Caprivi dispute has persisted for decades, most notably marked by the events of 1999.
According to the CCG, silence and administrative obstruction will not resolve the issue. Instead, the group is calling for a transparent, supervised process to determine the region’s future.
For Linyando and the CCG, a referendum represents the ultimate democratic settlement – a way to move beyond historical grievances and build a future based on the documented consent of the governed.
The group remains steadfast that lasting peace and justice can only be achieved by allowing the people to speak.
[email protected]
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