By Petronella Sibeene
WINDHOEK
A military parade was yesterday held in honour of Namibian Defence Force soldiers returning from a peacekeeping mission in Liberia.
President Hifikepunye Pohamba, Founding President Sam Nujoma, Cabinet ministers, and captains of industries attended the ceremony.
Namibia’s participation in the United Nations Mission in Liberia started in 2004 and 860 officers have, on a six months rotational basis, contributed to bringing peace and stability in the once war-torn country.
Speaking at the ceremony President Pohamba said Namibia is a child of international solidarity and as such, the country will continue to fulfil its foreign policy on promoting international cooperation, peace and stability.
“Namibia enjoys peace and stability. Our democracy has grown deep roots and it is flourishing. It is therefore only right for us to assist those who are searching for peace and stability in their countries,” the President said.
He said Namibia has been contributing troops to the United Nations Peace Support Operation under the auspices of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1509 of 2003.
The Namibian battalion in Liberia was to assist with disarmament, demobilisation, and re-integration of that country’s ex-combatants into the society and help create a conducive environment to enable Liberians to freely choose their national leader, the President said.
Liberia is one of the continent’s oldest republics founded by freed American slaves in 1847.
The country has known little but war since a rebel group led by Charles Taylor plunged the country into chaos, invading from neighbouring Ivory Coast in 1989.???_?_’???_?’???_???