Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa says he is determined to end secessionist politics and tribalism in the Zambezi region.
Sankwasa made the remarks on Friday during a high-level meeting with chiefs from the Mafwe, Masubia, Mashi and Mayeyi traditional authorities. The meeting was also attended by regional governor Dorothy Kabula-Simushi and other leaders.
“I am deeply determined to eradicate the secessionist political agenda, which has negatively tarnished the historic contribution made by the sons and daughters of the former Caprivi, now Zambezi, region, to Namibia’s liberation struggle,” he stated.
Secession calls by the United Democratic Party (UDP) have remained since 2 August 1999, when they launched a failed attack at Katima Mulilo in an attempt to separate the Zambezi region from Namibia.
The failed attempt to secede the Zambezi region was done under the leadership of Mishake Muyongo, who has since fled the country, while other UDP leaders were arrested for treason and other crimes.
UDP members are still hosting annual demonstrations to seek dialogue with the government to discuss secession and other pending issues.
In December the four traditional authorities spearheaded a peaceful demonstration in the region in which they distanced themselves from the UDP secession agenda and called on the government to ban their activities for good.
In their petition, they state that UDP activities in the sovereign state of Namibia are hampering peace and stability as well as the development in the region.
UDP held a counter demonstration two days later, determined to seek a dialogue with the government once more, and called out the traditional leaders for taking a stance against their activities.
The governor rejected their petition on the grounds that they must go back to the traditional authorities and seek their guidance on the issue, as they too have distanced themselves from UDP activities.
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