As Namibia celebrates 33 years of independence on Tuesday, activists have pledged to continue their anti-unemployment demonstrations in spite of a police ban.
On Monday, Namibia’s Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) were told by Inspector General of Police Joseph Shikongo to pick a different day to demonstrate. Holding protests on the day of independence may cause feelings of hostility, according to Shikongo.
However, NEFF members have vowed to continue their protests and accused the government of violating their rights by dictating the timing of their actions.
Unemployed youth have been urged to participate in the global demonstration by NEFF activist Michael Amushelelo. He said unemployment in the country was now a national crisis. According to local media, he claimed Namibia would commemorate 33 years of “high unemployment, high poverty, corrupt governance, looting, and mismanagement of the country”.
President Hage Geingob agreed that youth unemployment was a “serious problem” that could drive young people to turn to terrorism for survival last week despite rejecting demands from some MPs to declare it a national crisis.
In an effort to address the unemployment problem, President Geingob stated that the government planned to create close to 3,000 new positions in the army, prison system, and police. Following criticism on social media, the Namibian government last week abandoned plans to serve extra meals, such as Greek salad, to VIPs during the independence day festivities.
Official events to mark 33 years of independence are being held in Outapi, the capital of the northern region of Omusati.
