President Nangolo Mbumba has called for unity among traditional leaders, warning that internal conflicts and divisions threaten peace and stability in Namibia.

He made these remarks yesterday in Windhoek during the official opening of the 25th Annual Meeting of the Council of Traditional Leaders.

Mbumba stressed the importance of unity among Namibians as the country grapples with severe drought affecting food security and livelihoods, particularly for subsistence farmers.

He emphasised the need for collective efforts to tackle this national crisis.

The council, established by Act 13 of 1997, advises the President on the control and utilisation of communal land, as well as other matters referred to it by the President.

A total of 53 traditional authorities are represented at the five-day meeting.

In his address, Mbumba emphasised that in societies such as Namibia, elders have always been a source of stability and the foundation of a united and peaceful society, commanding honour and reverence.

However, he expressed disappointment that the integrity of traditional authorities is increasingly coming under threat due to infighting and leadership succession disputes.

“Unfortunately, these disputes threaten peace and harmony within our communities. Disputes not only lead to conflict and lack of unity within traditional communities but also force the government to intervene, using public resources that could otherwise have been directed towards critical needs such as education, health and poverty alleviation.”

The President also stressed that the government is spending more time and resources on investigating and resolving disputes that could often be resolved internally if customary laws were followed.

“As traditional authorities, your primary interest should be the advancement of the wider community and the augmentation of traditional values and norms. Let us learn to place our collective interests above our individual ones,” Mbumba said.

Drought

Turning to the drought crisis, Mbumba highlighted the severity of the situation, which has drastically reduced food security for many communities.

The government has declared a state of emergency and approved a drought relief budget to alleviate the impact of the crisis.

Mbumba stressed the importance of cost-cutting measures to ensure that the most vulnerable citizens receive the necessary support.

He acknowledged the requests made by traditional authorities for vehicles but stated that the government, due to the current financial situation, is unable to meet these requests.

The head of state urged government officials, including ministers and deputy ministers, to use available resources effectively.

“It is crucial that we all appreciate the magnitude of this challenge and endeavour to do more with less in order to help those most in need,” he said.

Also speaking at the meeting was the chairperson of the Council of Traditional Leaders, Chief Immanuel /Gaseb.

He commended the government’s efforts in service delivery and urged Namibians to be mindful of the challenges posed by climate change.

“As a predominantly arid country, the impact of climate change and drought is significant. We thank the President and the government for declaring a state of emergency over the drought and for initiating food aid distributions to affected communities,” he said.

He further urged traditional leaders to ensure that the distributed food aid is used for household consumption and not traded for alcohol.

/Gaseb urged Namibians, particularly members of royal families, to respect customary laws and resolve succession disputes according to their traditions rather than through common law courts.

“Such disputes can leave traditional authorities without leadership and disrupt their administration. I hope the Kao Daman Traditional Authority will honour its customs in appointing a successor to the late Chief Petrus Ukongo,” /Gaseb said.

He requested the Office of the Prime Minister to review the food distribution process to ensure equitable allocation, particularly for households with a higher number of dependents.

In addition to addressing the drought, Mbumba called for traditional authorities to continue supporting national developmental programmes, particularly in areas such as law enforcement, gender-based violence (GBV), and violence against children (VAC).

“I pay homage to our traditional leaders for their invaluable contribution in the fight against poverty and crime. Your support is an inspiration to future generations of traditional leaders who will face the ongoing challenges confronting our people,” Mbumba said.

As the Presidential and National Assembly elections approach on 27 November, Mbumba encouraged all citizens to participate peacefully and maintain Namibia’s strong democratic traditions.