Independence turns into political football
The country is deeply divided on formal independence celebrations, with demonstrations by opposing camps scheduled for tomorrow.
Tempers are flaring high ahead of the country's 30th independence anniversary, with demonstrations being lined up this weekend by both proponents and critics of the official celebratory event set to take place at Independence Stadium.
Police Chief Sebastian Ndeitunga said permissions were sought for demonstrations to be held from tomorrow.
“We have received some notification from Swapo and AR, probably mixed with independent candidates.
For the Khomas Region, I received a notification,” he said.
He then turned his attention to the Independence Day celebrations, saying those who plan on attending the event should expect a high level of security.
“We are going to have the highest level of security. Everyone should make sure that they do not come with firearms or weapons,” he said.
“We don't want to cause inconvenience to anyone. There is no reason to carry weapons to the independence celebrations; those who carry firearms will lose their firearms.”
Namibian Sun understands there are plans by some demonstrators to sustain their protests beyond the weekend.
Critics of formally celebrating the day argue that the country has nothing to show for its three decades of self-determination.
Some of these critics include supporters of former independent candidate Panduleni Itula, who argue that last year's election, which their man lost, was not credible.
They are opposed to President Hage Geingob being sworn in for his second term on 21 March. This was after the Supreme Court ruled that use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) without a paper trail in last year's election was unconstitutional, but refused annul the results.
Both sets of supporters have since widely circulated banners stating their positions.
In their banners, the Geingob supporters vowed to defend the incumbent, whom they describe as democratically elected.
Police are on high alert to avert any clashes between opposing camps.
A letter by Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa urged party members to demonstrate on the same day as those opposed to formal independence celebrations.
The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement, whose leaders backed Itula in the election, said Independence Day celebrations are an excuse to have a lavish swearing-in ceremony for Geingob following what they consider an electoral process without credibility.
“The party leadership has noted with concern some unscrupulous members of society who want to undermine the democratic election process exercised by members, supporters and sympathisers of Swapo party by inciting demonstrations against comrade Hage Geingob,” said Shaningwa, calling for a mobilisation of demonstrations in all 14 regions in defence of Geingob.
The Swapo demonstrations would start tomorrow, the same day AR and opponents of independence celebrations planned on having theirs.
AR activist Pau Pau said they were planning unending demonstrations which would start tomorrow until Independence Day, 21 March.
“We have written to Inspector General [Sebastian] Ndeitunga as required,” he said when asked about the movement's planned demonstration.
The demonstration, Pau said, was in opposition to Geingob's swearing-in. “There was a court case where the elective process was declared unconstitutional but someone will become a constitutional president.”
Itula said no one was obliged to attend the Independence Day celebrations.
“Our Article 21, freedom of association, does not oblige us to attended national events. If anything, it gives us freedom and rights to determine with whom and with what events we may associate with. There can be no coercion and blackmail in the exercise of our rights and freedoms,” he said.
“Get together on the pavement adjacent to your house, village or under a tree in the fields, and have a barbecue. Speak to that neighbour you always just wave to with a 'hi'. Reflect on the state of our nation,” Itula said on suggestions of how to spend Independence Day.
Presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari did not comment when asked to weigh in on the calls made to boycott the Independence Day celebrations.
Parliament-bound National Unity Democratic Organisation member Joseph Kauandenge said he would not support calls made by those opposing the celebrations on the grounds that it was accompanied by reflection over what had been achieved and what needed to be improved.
“To call for the boycotting of a national event simply for the purpose of boycotting it, I do not agree with that,” he said.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) youth league secretary Benson Katjirijova said there is little to celebrate after 30 years and the government must use the money meant for the celebrations on more pertinent issues.
“We cannot celebrate in hunger, joblessness, homelessness and landlessness. We are therefore calling on all Namibians to boycott this year's 30th Independence Day celebrations. Independence is not only political but an economic issue as well,” he said recently.
OGONE TLHAGE
Police Chief Sebastian Ndeitunga said permissions were sought for demonstrations to be held from tomorrow.
“We have received some notification from Swapo and AR, probably mixed with independent candidates.
For the Khomas Region, I received a notification,” he said.
He then turned his attention to the Independence Day celebrations, saying those who plan on attending the event should expect a high level of security.
“We are going to have the highest level of security. Everyone should make sure that they do not come with firearms or weapons,” he said.
“We don't want to cause inconvenience to anyone. There is no reason to carry weapons to the independence celebrations; those who carry firearms will lose their firearms.”
Namibian Sun understands there are plans by some demonstrators to sustain their protests beyond the weekend.
Critics of formally celebrating the day argue that the country has nothing to show for its three decades of self-determination.
Some of these critics include supporters of former independent candidate Panduleni Itula, who argue that last year's election, which their man lost, was not credible.
They are opposed to President Hage Geingob being sworn in for his second term on 21 March. This was after the Supreme Court ruled that use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) without a paper trail in last year's election was unconstitutional, but refused annul the results.
Both sets of supporters have since widely circulated banners stating their positions.
In their banners, the Geingob supporters vowed to defend the incumbent, whom they describe as democratically elected.
Police are on high alert to avert any clashes between opposing camps.
A letter by Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa urged party members to demonstrate on the same day as those opposed to formal independence celebrations.
The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement, whose leaders backed Itula in the election, said Independence Day celebrations are an excuse to have a lavish swearing-in ceremony for Geingob following what they consider an electoral process without credibility.
“The party leadership has noted with concern some unscrupulous members of society who want to undermine the democratic election process exercised by members, supporters and sympathisers of Swapo party by inciting demonstrations against comrade Hage Geingob,” said Shaningwa, calling for a mobilisation of demonstrations in all 14 regions in defence of Geingob.
The Swapo demonstrations would start tomorrow, the same day AR and opponents of independence celebrations planned on having theirs.
AR activist Pau Pau said they were planning unending demonstrations which would start tomorrow until Independence Day, 21 March.
“We have written to Inspector General [Sebastian] Ndeitunga as required,” he said when asked about the movement's planned demonstration.
The demonstration, Pau said, was in opposition to Geingob's swearing-in. “There was a court case where the elective process was declared unconstitutional but someone will become a constitutional president.”
Itula said no one was obliged to attend the Independence Day celebrations.
“Our Article 21, freedom of association, does not oblige us to attended national events. If anything, it gives us freedom and rights to determine with whom and with what events we may associate with. There can be no coercion and blackmail in the exercise of our rights and freedoms,” he said.
“Get together on the pavement adjacent to your house, village or under a tree in the fields, and have a barbecue. Speak to that neighbour you always just wave to with a 'hi'. Reflect on the state of our nation,” Itula said on suggestions of how to spend Independence Day.
Presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari did not comment when asked to weigh in on the calls made to boycott the Independence Day celebrations.
Parliament-bound National Unity Democratic Organisation member Joseph Kauandenge said he would not support calls made by those opposing the celebrations on the grounds that it was accompanied by reflection over what had been achieved and what needed to be improved.
“To call for the boycotting of a national event simply for the purpose of boycotting it, I do not agree with that,” he said.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) youth league secretary Benson Katjirijova said there is little to celebrate after 30 years and the government must use the money meant for the celebrations on more pertinent issues.
“We cannot celebrate in hunger, joblessness, homelessness and landlessness. We are therefore calling on all Namibians to boycott this year's 30th Independence Day celebrations. Independence is not only political but an economic issue as well,” he said recently.
OGONE TLHAGE
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