Swapo not yet out of the closet on same-sex ruling

After cancelling a press conference scheduled for yesterday, Swapo has announced that more discussions on a recent Supreme Court ruling impacting same-sex marriages are underway.This after the party called a politburo meeting on Monday to discuss the ruling which compels the home affairs ministry to issue relevant residence rights to foreign same-sex spouses married to Namibians.In a statement yesterday, spokesperson Hilma Nicanor said the politburo resolved that an extraordinary meeting of the central committee be convened to take necessary decisions over various concerns raised by party members and the general public.The committee would also “consider the array of available and legally viable statutory remedial actions that can conceivably be taken," she wrote.The party urged its members and the public to remain calm in the meantime."The Swapo Party will do everything it is able to do in accordance with the constitutional and legal requirements to find a long-lasting and acceptable solution," Nicanor said.So far, the Swapo Party Youth League, the elders&#039; council, party war veterans and founding party president Sam Nujoma have all denounced the ruling, alongside Owambo traditional authorities and retired Lutheran bishops.Although Swapo has not officially declared its stance on the matter, it said it sympathises with the "anxiety and unhappiness" expressed by the public and is thus not taking this lightly.Demonstrations, arrestsNamibians have been up in arms since the ruling, and this has led to public demonstrations and arrests.On Friday, the Coalition of Churches - led by Shiley Magazi - protested the ruling and hand-delivered a petition to the home affairs ministry.During the ‘peaceful’ demonstrations, four members of the LGBTQ community were briefly arrested at Zoo Park and released on a warning.According to Nicanor, the party has since received several submissions and queries, calling on Swapo to publicly pronounce itself on the matter.Cat and mouseNamibian Sun yesterday reported that home affairs minister Albert Kawana will not be processing any residency permits for same-sex spouses before hearing from the attorney-general&#039;s (AG) office.Kawana said the ministry will only act once legal advice from the AG has been obtained."All questions regarding the plans to comply with the court ruling should be posed to the AG.”

Swapo not yet out of the closet on same-sex ruling

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-15

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Swapo not yet out of the closet on same-sex ruling

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-15

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