Some members of Namibia’s ruling party, the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), have called on the government to expel European Union (EU) envoys from the country after it emerged, they met with opposition leader, Panduleni Itula at the German ambassador’s residence in Windhoek last week.
SWAPO criticised the meeting with Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, saying it amounted to “highly questionable diplomacy,” local media reports.
With elections scheduled for November, the meeting is suggestive of a sign of possible interference in the upcoming polls.
The SWAPO Party Youth League (SPYL) issued a statement on Sunday urging the government to declare ‘’representatives who seek to interfere in the internal affairs of our country as persona non grata without compromise’’
“The former colonisers must understand that Namibia is forever free, sovereign, and independent” the statement read.
However, the EU immediately released a statement denying and debunking the allegations. It’s ambassador to Namibia, Ana-Beatriz Martins described the meeting was “part of the EU’s general engagement with relevant actors in Namibia, as is normal for all diplomatic missions to perform’’
“Naturally, the EU heads of missions did not discuss matters that fall within the purview of the government of Namibia, nor did we comment on or prejudge the outcome of any election,” she said in a joint statement with other EU ambassadors.
The statement emphasised that EU Member States will continue to strive to maintain a cordial, long-term relationship with Namibia, based on common values and mutual respect.
