Hage slams dungeons probeSays the focus should be on unity in Namibia The president used the occasion of Heroes' Day to criticise the dungeons probe and the demands by former SWATF soldiers for war veteran status, while also speaking of unity and peace. President Hage Geingob says the inquiry into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity said to have been inflicted by Swapo on Namibians in exile, and which is expected to officially start in Windhoek on 1 September, is retrogressive to nation building.
Geingob made these comments at the Heroes' Day commemoration at the Oshakati Independence Stadium over the weekend.
The president said Namibians need to move forward to develop the country, but these “selective calls to re-open the so-called Swapo dungeons” and compensation demands by former Koevoet soldiers do not need to be entertained.
“The policy of national reconciliation is there for a reason and trying to selectively open that painful chapter will open the floodgates of anger. The individualistic pursuits of a few should never be allowed to undermine the
peace that Namibians have enjoyed since independence,” Geingob said.
“We will never be convinced that entertaining the demands of former Koevoet soldiers to be recognised as war veterans is constructive. They were paid by those who hired them and they will not receive compensation from the government. Similarly, we will never be convinced that the selective calls to re-open the so-called Swapo dungeons matter are in favour of nation building,” Geingob added.
The Head of State said the wounds of the struggle will never go away, and people have simply learned to live with their oppressors, and they have learnt to live with one another, regardless of the role played during the struggle.
Geingob said Namibians must commit to taking Namibia forward in an inclusive manner, saying it is imperative to find the will and the way to ensure the pursuit of one Namibia, one nation. He said in order to achieve this strategy it requires the dismantling of structural poverty and inequality.
The Committee of Parents and the Truth and Justice Committee spearheading the probe, announced last week that the investigations into atrocities alleged to have been committed by Swapo to Namibians who were in exile will start very soon.
In September last year, the two groups said a commission of inquiry was necessary because the Swapo leadership had refused to account for the disappearance of fellow Namibians in exile. This refusal, the groups claimed, constitutes crime against humanity.
The groups also say the Swapo leadership refused to account for the whereabouts of the remains of murdered Namibian refugees. They further allege that the party continued to slander and defame both the murdered refugees and the survivors of the dungeons.
“Are we ready to come together as a united people in the spirit of Harambee to move forward towards Vision 2030 as one Namibia, one nation? Let us thoroughly examine our hearts and remember that we must bring the struggle to its logical conclusion of political, social and economic inclusivity,” Geingob said, questioning if the investigations are honouring the sacrifices of the heroes and heroines.
“Let us arm ourselves with the necessary armour and weaponry to ensure victory in this second phase of our struggle. Let us arm ourselves with altruism, patriotism, pan-Africanism and nationalism. These are the
only 'isms' we should practice. If we buttress them with the principles of equality and equity, there will be no river too wide to cross and no mountain too high to climb in the pursuit of these noble ideals,” Geingob stressed.
Thousands flocked to the stadium to commemorate Heroes' Day.
They were treated to a spectacular military parade by members of the Namibia Defence Force (NDF), including a parade march, a display of brigade armaments, fly-pasts and paratroopers.
Unity
The president, after lashing out at the dungeons probe and the demand by Koevoet soldiers for compensation, spoke of unity.
“Prior to our independence we were a divided nation that was engulfed by prejudice and mistrust. Today, we all admit that we have transcended that division and are conscious of the fact that we need one another,” Geingob said.
Geingob said there is a disturbing trend of indefensible and untruthful public statements gaining traction in Namibia. He said this trend is an antithesis to the unity of the country.
“It appears that as a society, we are starting to accept that the defamation, degradation and disrespect of others is normal. It appears we are starting to normalise the actions of those who have been persistent, since independence, in pushing for conflict by disregarding the blanket amnesty applied to both the South African forces and Swapo,” he said.
He said his belief in the need for the unity of the nation is as strong as his love for this nation.
“We say no more. We say never again. No more oceans of anguish, no more rivers of blood, no more pools of tears. The example of how our nation must act, think and speak must come from our leaders.”
ILENI NANDJATO
Geingob made these comments at the Heroes' Day commemoration at the Oshakati Independence Stadium over the weekend.
The president said Namibians need to move forward to develop the country, but these “selective calls to re-open the so-called Swapo dungeons” and compensation demands by former Koevoet soldiers do not need to be entertained.
“The policy of national reconciliation is there for a reason and trying to selectively open that painful chapter will open the floodgates of anger. The individualistic pursuits of a few should never be allowed to undermine the
peace that Namibians have enjoyed since independence,” Geingob said.
“We will never be convinced that entertaining the demands of former Koevoet soldiers to be recognised as war veterans is constructive. They were paid by those who hired them and they will not receive compensation from the government. Similarly, we will never be convinced that the selective calls to re-open the so-called Swapo dungeons matter are in favour of nation building,” Geingob added.
The Head of State said the wounds of the struggle will never go away, and people have simply learned to live with their oppressors, and they have learnt to live with one another, regardless of the role played during the struggle.
Geingob said Namibians must commit to taking Namibia forward in an inclusive manner, saying it is imperative to find the will and the way to ensure the pursuit of one Namibia, one nation. He said in order to achieve this strategy it requires the dismantling of structural poverty and inequality.
The Committee of Parents and the Truth and Justice Committee spearheading the probe, announced last week that the investigations into atrocities alleged to have been committed by Swapo to Namibians who were in exile will start very soon.
In September last year, the two groups said a commission of inquiry was necessary because the Swapo leadership had refused to account for the disappearance of fellow Namibians in exile. This refusal, the groups claimed, constitutes crime against humanity.
The groups also say the Swapo leadership refused to account for the whereabouts of the remains of murdered Namibian refugees. They further allege that the party continued to slander and defame both the murdered refugees and the survivors of the dungeons.
“Are we ready to come together as a united people in the spirit of Harambee to move forward towards Vision 2030 as one Namibia, one nation? Let us thoroughly examine our hearts and remember that we must bring the struggle to its logical conclusion of political, social and economic inclusivity,” Geingob said, questioning if the investigations are honouring the sacrifices of the heroes and heroines.
“Let us arm ourselves with the necessary armour and weaponry to ensure victory in this second phase of our struggle. Let us arm ourselves with altruism, patriotism, pan-Africanism and nationalism. These are the
only 'isms' we should practice. If we buttress them with the principles of equality and equity, there will be no river too wide to cross and no mountain too high to climb in the pursuit of these noble ideals,” Geingob stressed.
Thousands flocked to the stadium to commemorate Heroes' Day.
They were treated to a spectacular military parade by members of the Namibia Defence Force (NDF), including a parade march, a display of brigade armaments, fly-pasts and paratroopers.
Unity
The president, after lashing out at the dungeons probe and the demand by Koevoet soldiers for compensation, spoke of unity.
“Prior to our independence we were a divided nation that was engulfed by prejudice and mistrust. Today, we all admit that we have transcended that division and are conscious of the fact that we need one another,” Geingob said.
Geingob said there is a disturbing trend of indefensible and untruthful public statements gaining traction in Namibia. He said this trend is an antithesis to the unity of the country.
“It appears that as a society, we are starting to accept that the defamation, degradation and disrespect of others is normal. It appears we are starting to normalise the actions of those who have been persistent, since independence, in pushing for conflict by disregarding the blanket amnesty applied to both the South African forces and Swapo,” he said.
He said his belief in the need for the unity of the nation is as strong as his love for this nation.
“We say no more. We say never again. No more oceans of anguish, no more rivers of blood, no more pools of tears. The example of how our nation must act, think and speak must come from our leaders.”
ILENI NANDJATO