Mutwa promoted to Lieutenant-General

The new commander of the Namibian Defence Force, John Mutwa, was officially promoted from Major-General to Lieutenant-General on Friday. President Hifikepunye Pohamba in December last year appointed Mutwa as the new Chief of the Defence Force after the retirement of Lieutenant-General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah on December 31, 2013. The appointment took effect on January 1 this year. The Head of State on Friday also issued Mutwa with a warrant to convene General Courts Martial and to issue warrants to officers under his command to convene General Courts Martial. “I have all the confidence that with his professional military background and dedication, Lieutenant-General Mutwa will serve our country and people with loyalty, courage, dignity and honour as Chief of the Defence Force. I wish him success in his new responsibility,” Pohamba said at the ceremony at State House on Friday. He further called on Mutwa to ensure that members of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) keep abreast of military technology while promoting harmonious working relationships amongst senior commanders in order to address the welfare of the country’s soldiers. The President said at the occasion that as part of Namibia’s foreign policy, the NDF is expected to participate in peace-keeping roles, adding that in order to succeed in this role, the defence force is required to promote a culture of respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms, especially the protection of women and children, in conflict situations. He emphasised that the Republic of Namibia is founded upon the principles of democracy, the rule of law and justice for all. Thus the defence force is expected to operate within the letter and spirit of the Namibian Constitution, the Defence Act of 2002, and the Defence Policy, among other instruments. He further noted that the Namibian Constitution requires the Chief of the Defence Force to make provision for the balanced structuring of the Defence Force. “The Army Chief is also required to make suitable appointments to the defence force and to have charges of indiscipline amongst members of the defence force investigated.” He said the CDF is further entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the efficient administration of the defence force.