Protesters demand election re-run
Groups of dissatisfied Namibians protested in some parts of the country over the weekend, demanding President Hage Geingob to step down as Head of State or until an election re-run is announced.
At Oshakati, a group of protestors supporting President Geingob also took to the streets to demand that the head of state be left alone.
The ruling party Swapo on Saturday backpedalled on its planned pro-Geingob protests in Windhoek, seemingly on advice by some of its members who said organising protests on the same day as those against the president could spell chaos.
Namibian Sun understands Swapo would have its demonstrations sometime this week.
These demands by those against Geingob's presidency follow thwe Supreme Court ruling that the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) during the 2019 presidential elections, which Geingob and Swapo won, was unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court, however, did not set aside the election results.
Protesters argue that Geingob was elected through an unconstitutional process and should therefore relinquish his position as president.
The protesters, largely made up of unemployed, homeless and frustrated youth, said they will take part in these mass demonstrations until the president gives in. According to one of the organisers of the protests, Pau Pau, the marches will continue until their demands are met.
The protests will continue this morning when protestors hand over a petition to the Khomas Regional Council offices.
“How can we have a president elected unconstitutionally for the next five years? People visiting this country will think we have no laws. We are not fighting individuals, Hage and Swapo will end one of these days. We are fighting for the future of our children and Namibia,” Pau said.
Meanwhile, Swapo executive director Austin Samupwa said the party's pro-Hage protest, which was scheduled for Saturday as well, will now be moved to sometime this week.
On Saturday morning, the media only found three supporters at the party headquarters, while Swapo's Khomas regional office, which was the main organiser of the planned demonstration, was as a ghost town.
Meanwhile, the Popular Democratic Movement Youth League leader Bensen Katjirijova argues the protesters are disrespectful and should respect the country's democratic laws, including the outcome of the Supreme Court.
“Of course, the issues they raise such a lack of services are legitimate concerns but the court has pronounced it and we must respect that decision,” Katjirijova said.
The Landless People's Movement youth head of student command element Dominga Ndala however said the youth have a right to express themselves.
“Chapter 3, Article 21 of the constitution asserts us the right to freedom of speech and expression, and that freedom can be illustrated through the strike. Everyone via the constitution has the right to gather and protest,” she said.
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JEMIMA BEUKES
At Oshakati, a group of protestors supporting President Geingob also took to the streets to demand that the head of state be left alone.
The ruling party Swapo on Saturday backpedalled on its planned pro-Geingob protests in Windhoek, seemingly on advice by some of its members who said organising protests on the same day as those against the president could spell chaos.
Namibian Sun understands Swapo would have its demonstrations sometime this week.
These demands by those against Geingob's presidency follow thwe Supreme Court ruling that the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) during the 2019 presidential elections, which Geingob and Swapo won, was unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court, however, did not set aside the election results.
Protesters argue that Geingob was elected through an unconstitutional process and should therefore relinquish his position as president.
The protesters, largely made up of unemployed, homeless and frustrated youth, said they will take part in these mass demonstrations until the president gives in. According to one of the organisers of the protests, Pau Pau, the marches will continue until their demands are met.
The protests will continue this morning when protestors hand over a petition to the Khomas Regional Council offices.
“How can we have a president elected unconstitutionally for the next five years? People visiting this country will think we have no laws. We are not fighting individuals, Hage and Swapo will end one of these days. We are fighting for the future of our children and Namibia,” Pau said.
Meanwhile, Swapo executive director Austin Samupwa said the party's pro-Hage protest, which was scheduled for Saturday as well, will now be moved to sometime this week.
On Saturday morning, the media only found three supporters at the party headquarters, while Swapo's Khomas regional office, which was the main organiser of the planned demonstration, was as a ghost town.
Meanwhile, the Popular Democratic Movement Youth League leader Bensen Katjirijova argues the protesters are disrespectful and should respect the country's democratic laws, including the outcome of the Supreme Court.
“Of course, the issues they raise such a lack of services are legitimate concerns but the court has pronounced it and we must respect that decision,” Katjirijova said.
The Landless People's Movement youth head of student command element Dominga Ndala however said the youth have a right to express themselves.
“Chapter 3, Article 21 of the constitution asserts us the right to freedom of speech and expression, and that freedom can be illustrated through the strike. Everyone via the constitution has the right to gather and protest,” she said.
[email protected]
JEMIMA BEUKES
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