Swakopmund: The Indigenous Minorities Youth Organisation of Namibia (IMYON) has condemned the violence and intimidation that led to the collapse and postponement of the National Youth Council (NYC) General Assembly in Swakopmund last week. IMYON, a participant in the assembly, emphasised that the event was intended to be conducted in a lawful and orderly manner, but it deteriorated into chaos.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the organisation's public relations officer, Wally Ronaldo |Homeb, in a statement on Tuesday, said delegates observed unauthorised individuals forcibly entering a restricted session of the general assembly, disrupting ongoing proceedings. 'We further witnessed members of the electoral committee, who had been formally mandated to oversee the electoral process, being prevented from carrying out their responsibilities and subjected to physical assaults while attempting to execute their duties,' he charged.

|Homeb reported that tensions escalated, leading to physical confrontations at the venue and creating an unsafe environment for delegates and officials. He stated that these events, among others, led to the postponement of the General Assembly, with no clear timeline for when delegates will reconvene to fulfil their mandate.

'This is deeply concerning. The postponement has left delegates, youth organisations, and communities across the country without certainty regarding the future of the process. IMYON maintains that no delegate should be subjected to violence, intimidation, or threats while participating in a lawful democratic process,' he said.

The organisation demanded a clear roadmap and timeline for the continuation of the General Assembly, an independent investigation into the incidents that disrupted proceedings, and the identification of individuals and organisations responsible for undermining the assembly and electoral process. |Homeb further called for enhanced safety and security measures for delegates, officials, and observers upon the assembly's reconvening, including a thorough review of accreditation and electoral procedures to prevent future incidents.

Additionally, the PRO emphasised that the events in Swakopmund represent a significant setback for youth governance in Namibia, asserting that young people deserve a youth council that upholds integrity, transparency, and democratic principles.