NDF should remain apolitical

ELLANIE SMIT WINDHOEKInsufficient funding, poor discipline and unhealthy politics are some of the challenges facing the Namibian Defence Force (NDF).This according to the new NDF Chief, Air Marshal Martin Kambulu Pinehas, who made the remarks at the official change of command ceremony between himself and outgoing Lieutenant General John Mutwa, who retired as chief at the end of March.President Hage Geingob appointed Pinehas to succeed Mutwa as from 1 April.“Although the defence ministry receives the third highest budget from the fiscus, 80% of it is spent on the wage bill and others for administration. This leaves a small amount for investing in the defence industry. This affects our progress to self-reliance.”Pinehas said the NDF also receives complaints on a daily basis regarding a lack of discipline among its forces. Undermining impartialityHe added that there have recently been developments that some members of the NDF have been involved in politics and making political statements.“This undermines defence impartiality and credibility,” he said.Other challenges he mentioned were the ageing force and a poor relationship between defence and civilians.He said his vision for the NDF is to transform it into a modernised, fully professionalised world-class force.To bring this vision to fruition, interventions around their challenges will be developed, he added. Strategic interventionAccording to Pinehas, his strategic intervention will focus on enhancing discipline, transformation through recruitment and also equipping the NDF.“There is a great need to strengthen our armed forces in every area of competency. Our task will be to ensure that our defence force remains well equipped, well-trained and ready to provide combat-credible military responses, deter any aggression any time and protect the security of our nation,” he said. The NDF chief said he had already commissioned a force capability and threat assessment, which revealed that the defence force is inadequately equipped.“Our strategy will be to lobby for aggressive investment in the defence industry, in a manner that would allow the NDF to achieve an acceptable degree of self-sufficiency without burdening national fiscus.”Apolitical and non-tribalOther areas of focus will be to professionalise the force and to make it apolitical and a friend of citizens, Pinehas said.“The NDF is and remains apolitical and non-tribal. I, therefore, call upon commanders at all levels to ensure that our soldiers refrain from politics and tribal tendencies. I will not tolerate a uniformed member indulging in politics as this undermines your loyalty to the service of our country, which we both pronounced through the oath of allegiance when we joined the defence force.”Meanwhile, Geingob said Pinehas’ appointment comes at a time when the defence force requires transformation and restructuring in line with the principle of inclusivity and ethos of nation-building, so that it becomes a representative of the Namibian House narrative.

NDF should remain apolitical

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

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NDF should remain apolitical

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

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