Rudolf Gaiseb
National Democratic Party (NDP) leader Martin Lukato wants the
2018 Namibia-Botswana Boundary Treaty nullified.
In 2018, the late president Hage Geingob and the former president of Botswana, Ian Khama, signed the historic boundary treaty, which reaffirmed colonial delimitation and clearly outlined the border between the two countries.
However, Namibians living along the Chobe and Kwando rivers have, over the years, complained about being subjected
to wanton harassment by the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).
Some 37 Namibians have been shot and killed by BDF soldiers on suspicions of
being poachers.
“I believe that any decision to change the border policies should be agreed upon by all citizens of Namibia, especially those living along those border lines. It should be all stakeholders, including religious, political and traditional leaders as well as the public. That is how it works. You cannot shift or take land from another country without the authority of those living there,” he said.
Lukato was speaking at a press conference in Windhoek recently, where he also announced that the NDP will launch its manifesto on 15 September.
“It is the same as robbing someone of their land. That is how the government of today, the South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo) and the government of Botswana, robbed the people of the Zambezi region. Therefore, that decision was unfair, and must be reversed,” he charged.
The treaty was signed in the late 1990s after Namibia lost its court battle against Botswana over the Kasikili/Sedudu Island.
Namibia signed the boundary treaty to hand over the island, located in the Chobe River.
Lukato’s ambitions also include turning the Mpacha airport in Katima Mulilo into an international airport.
“It has the strength to become an international airport. It will connect us to many neighbouring countries, and attract tourists from all over the world. It will develop the region, Namibia in particular and it will also benefit Africa at large,” he said.
His party will also join those fighting the notorious veterinary cordon fence, known as the red line, which he said is stopping citizens from selling meat, and moving food from one town to another. He is equally adamant about fast-tracking the Trans-Caprivi highway.
“This will connect us to neighbouring countries and improve the living standard of our people,” he said.
He continues to advocate policy reform.
When voted to power, he promised he would not permit ministers to have State vehicles.
“They must buy their cars, and only be provided for when they are on a mission to serve people. NDP will embark on a massive law reform. Most of our laws are discriminatory and abusive to our people. They need to be changed to suit the current situation we live in,” he shared.
His other promises include implementing agricultural green schemes to strengthen food security as well as subsidising electricity and fuel.
“Electricity and fuel are too expensive, and our people cannot afford to buy them. We will pass a law to remove all middlemen who are benefitting from NamPower,” he asserted.