Katima mulilo: A group of concerned Zambezi residents on Monday took to the streets of Katima Mulilo to march against the United Democratic Party (UDP)'s secessionist ideology, which seeks to separate the Zambezi Region from the rest of Namibia.
According to Namibia Press Agency, in a petition read by Dobson Kwala, the group called on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to exercise her constitutional powers and to align protocol and other agencies in Namibia to respond to and take action against the UDP. They said the UDP has held authorised gatherings in Katima Mulilo twice this year, and noted with concern that the same banned UDP is allegedly led by an exiled leader and former DTA president, Mishake Muyongo.
The concerned group charged in the petition that "this political organisation is not legally registered in the Republic of Namibia as a political organisation and this makes it not to be allowed by any legal authority that administer public affairs in the country." They recalled that "this political organisation attacked Namibia in Caprivi Region at Katima Mulilo on 02 August 1999."
The group said Muyongo's ideology continues to guide the UDP, which the government has allowed to cause confusion among citizens and investors. They pointed out that the majority of current UDP members are repatriates from the Dukwi refugee camp in Botswana, who agreed to return to Namibia under a UNHCR-facilitated programme to live in peace and harmony.
The group expressed concern about the stigma that Zambezi people are likely to face from local and international communities, the potential loss of life, and economic devastation. They urged the President to act swiftly, noting that failure to do so might lead citizens to believe that the government is causing the situation in the Zambezi region due to inaction.
The group urged the Government to take radical steps against UDP members and enforce the law accordingly, or to convene a public meeting, warning that failure to act may lead to mob justice against the UDP. Zambezi Governor, Dorothy Kabula, received the petition, including those drafted by four traditional authorities, and promised to forward them to the relevant authorities and to respond promptly to all concerns.