‘We will defend Nujoma’

GOVERNMENT will leave no stone unturned in defending Swapo President Sam Nujoma against an application to have him investigated for crimes against humanity, President Hifikepunye Pohamba said in an address to the nation last night.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is weighing a submission by the National Society of Human Rights (NSHR) to hold Nujoma and three others accountable for people who went missing under the care of Swapo before and after Independence. Pohamba is the latest to join the fray in the ongoing polemic around the application.In his televised address, the President said Nujoma was a “HERO”, that the NSHR’s submission was “baseless and frivolous”, and that those who vilify the former president are “disturbing peace and stability”.The President said Namibia would stop at nothing to defend Nujoma and other patriotic Namibians against the NSHR’s intended action.”Our Government will do everything possible within the letter and spirit of the Namibian Constitution, the laws of our Republic and International law to protect and defend our Founding President and all patriotic Namibians,” Pohamba stated.Saying that the NSHR’s action threatened peace and stability, Pohamba said “hurling insults” at public office bearers was not in the best interest of the policy of national reconciliation.”Criticisms must be done with civility and reverence to our institutions and persons who hold offices in such institutions.”He said all citizens had the right to criticise and express their views, but such views must be expressed within the permissible parameters that were acceptable in a democratic society.The President said that the Constitution stated that “the people of Namibia will strive to achieve national reconciliation.The policy of National Reconciliation promoted by Comrade Sam Nujoma upon his return from exile and embraced by the Namibian people is, a constitutional principle which, I as President of our Republic is obliged to uphold, protect and defend as per Article 30 of the Namibian Constitution.”Pohamba called on the nation to remain calm amidst the NSHR’ submission to the ICC to have Nujoma and three others investigated for crimes against humanity.According to him the NSHR’s actions were a misguided attempt to vilify Nujoma and tarnish the name of Namibia.The NSHR made its submission to the ICC in November last year.Apart from Nujoma, the names of the other people mentioned are former Defence Minister Erkki Nghimtina, former Chief of Defence and now retired Lieutenant General Solomon ‘Jesus’ Hawala, and NDF First Battalion Colonel Thomas Shuuya.The NSHR wants them be charged under the court’s “continuous violation doctrine” for crimes committed before the court’s establishment in July 2002.The NSHR’s Phil ya Nangoloh said the fact that Nujoma continued to refuse to account for people who went missing while he was head of Swapo and Namibia justified his submission.However, Pohamba argued that the jurisdiction of the ICC was limited to cases which occurred after its founding statute came into force on July 1 2002.”One can only conclude that Mr Phil ya Nangoloh has an agenda only known to himself,” Pohamba said yesterday.The President said he had to make the national call after Government established that Ya Nangoloh had indeed made a submission to the ICC.When The Namibian broke the story, a Government spokesperson declined to comment, saying it was not aware of the submission.The ICC informed the NSHR last month that it was weighing the merits of the submission.Pohamba is the latest to join the fray in the ongoing polemic around the application.In his televised address, the President said Nujoma was a “HERO”, that the NSHR’s submission was “baseless and frivolous”, and that those who vilify the former president are “disturbing peace and stability”.The President said Namibia would stop at nothing to defend Nujoma and other patriotic Namibians against the NSHR’s intended action.”Our Government will do everything possible within the letter and spirit of the Namibian Constitution, the laws of our Republic and International law to protect and defend our Founding President and all patriotic Namibians,” Pohamba stated.Saying that the NSHR’s action threatened peace and stability, Pohamba said “hurling insults” at public office bearers was not in the best interest of the policy of national reconciliation.”Criticisms must be done with civility and reverence to our institutions and persons who hold offices in such institutions.”He said all citizens had the right to criticise and express their views, but such views must be expressed within the permissible parameters that were acceptable in a democratic society. The President said that the Constitution stated that “the people of Namibia will strive to achieve national reconciliation.The policy of National Reconciliation promoted by Comrade Sam Nujoma upon his return from exile and embraced by the Namibian people is, a constitutional principle which, I as President of our Republic is obliged to uphold, protect and defend as per Article 30 of the Namibian Constitution.”Pohamba called on the nation to remain calm amidst the NSHR’ submission to the ICC to have Nujoma and three others investigated for crimes against humanity.According to him the NSHR’s actions were a misguided attempt to vilify Nujoma and tarnish the name of Namibia.The NSHR made its submission to the ICC in November last year.Apart from Nujoma, the names of the other people mentioned are former Defence Minister Erkki Nghimtina, former Chief of Defence and now retired Lieutenant General Solomon ‘Jesus’ Hawala, and NDF First Battalion Colonel Thomas Shuuya.The NSHR wants them be charged under the court’s “continuous violation doctrine” for crimes committed before the court’s establishment in July 2002.The NSHR’s Phil ya Nangoloh said the fact that Nujoma continued to refuse to account for people who went missing while he was head of Swapo and Namibia justified his submission.However, Pohamba argued that the jurisdiction of the ICC was limited to cases which occurred after its founding statute came into force on July 1 2002.”One can only conclude that Mr Phil ya Nangoloh has an agenda only known to himself,” Pohamba said yesterday.The President said he had to make the national call after Government established that Ya Nangoloh had indeed made a submission to the ICC.When The Namibian broke the story, a Government spokesperson declined to comment, saying it was not aware of the submission.The ICC informed the NSHR last month that it was weighing the merits of the submission.