IPC slams govt over exclusion from Indian state visit
Ruling party accused of being averse to dissent
The IPC has accused the Namibian government of deliberately sidelining the official opposition from key national events.
The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has issued a scathing critique of the Namibian government’s ongoing exclusion of the official opposition from national state functions, calling the move a direct affront to democratic principles.
In a strongly worded statement released today, the IPC denounced what it called a “systematic sidelining” of its leader and the nearly 300 000 Namibians who voted for the party in the general election.
The statement coincided with the high-profile state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting what the IPC described as “a moment of profound irony”.
“While India’s prime minister stands on Namibian soil representing the world’s largest democracy, our own government excludes the leader of the official opposition from participating in national events,” the release read.
Citing multiple recent events, including the presidential inauguration, Genocide Remembrance Day and the current Indian state visit, IPC said these exclusions were not accidental but rather “deliberate choices” rooted in a ruling party's refusal to acknowledge dissent.
“This is the behaviour of a party that mistakes temporary power for permanent ownership of the state,” the statement asserted.
No real home
The IPC criticised the current status of the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition, describing it as a “constitutional orphan” that exists in name but lacks legal authority. The party called for urgent legislative reform to enshrine the office in law through a constitutional amendment or act of parliament, with defined rights and responsibilities.
“A salary without substance, a title without teeth, recognition without rights – this is governance by sleight of hand,” the party said.
In a direct challenge to the ruling Swapo Party, IPC questioned what government was hiding by refusing to include opposition voices at key state functions.
“A government secure in its mandate welcomes opposition presence. One that fears scrutiny, reveals its fundamental weakness.”
Sturdy democracy
The party also made a plea to international partners, especially India, to recognise the importance of a vibrant opposition in any functioning democracy.
“A democracy is judged not by how it treats its supporters but by how it respects its opposition,” IPC said.
Concluding the statement, the party reaffirmed its commitment to defending the democratic rights of all Namibians, vowing not to be silenced.
“Democracy is not a gift from the governing party; it is the birthright of every Namibian.”
The release was issued by the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition in the National Assembly.
In a strongly worded statement released today, the IPC denounced what it called a “systematic sidelining” of its leader and the nearly 300 000 Namibians who voted for the party in the general election.
The statement coincided with the high-profile state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting what the IPC described as “a moment of profound irony”.
“While India’s prime minister stands on Namibian soil representing the world’s largest democracy, our own government excludes the leader of the official opposition from participating in national events,” the release read.
Citing multiple recent events, including the presidential inauguration, Genocide Remembrance Day and the current Indian state visit, IPC said these exclusions were not accidental but rather “deliberate choices” rooted in a ruling party's refusal to acknowledge dissent.
“This is the behaviour of a party that mistakes temporary power for permanent ownership of the state,” the statement asserted.
No real home
The IPC criticised the current status of the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition, describing it as a “constitutional orphan” that exists in name but lacks legal authority. The party called for urgent legislative reform to enshrine the office in law through a constitutional amendment or act of parliament, with defined rights and responsibilities.
“A salary without substance, a title without teeth, recognition without rights – this is governance by sleight of hand,” the party said.
In a direct challenge to the ruling Swapo Party, IPC questioned what government was hiding by refusing to include opposition voices at key state functions.
“A government secure in its mandate welcomes opposition presence. One that fears scrutiny, reveals its fundamental weakness.”
Sturdy democracy
The party also made a plea to international partners, especially India, to recognise the importance of a vibrant opposition in any functioning democracy.
“A democracy is judged not by how it treats its supporters but by how it respects its opposition,” IPC said.
Concluding the statement, the party reaffirmed its commitment to defending the democratic rights of all Namibians, vowing not to be silenced.
“Democracy is not a gift from the governing party; it is the birthright of every Namibian.”
The release was issued by the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition in the National Assembly.
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