KATIMA MULILO – Political parties in the Zambezi region have strongly condemned the so-called “Caprivi Concerned Group” for instigating the boycott of the upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The little-known “Caprivi Concerned Group” has in recent days been urging residents of the Zambezi Region to boycott the upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections.
This also became evident after the group wrote a letter to minority political parties in the region pleading for solidarity in the boycott of elections.
The letter in possession of New Era, signed by the group’s chairperson, Lenox Lutambo, states that it was imperative for residents to stand together as were all “victims of the Namibian colonial and autocratic government”.
The group, however, paradoxically accused minority parties of failing to represent the needs of the region, singling out the lack of political will to deal with the issue of the high treason suspects and refugees.
“By participating in Namibian elections through Namibian opposition parties, which do not genuinely represent real issues or needs of Caprivian people who are rotting in mass graves, Namibian prisons and refugee camps is, in our view, a generational betrayal to the past and future generations of Caprivi,” read their letter.
An attempt to secede the region failed in 1999, resulting in the arrest of those suspected to have taken part, with countless others fleeing the country, including the leader of the plot – Mishake Muyongo, to seek political asylum elsewhere.
The group, which has also been advocating for the total autonomy of the region, noted that the minority parties stand no chance of attaining power over the Swapo-led government and therefore the status quo regarding what it calls a “political dispute” would remain.
“If you were the founders of those political parties, we would suggest a coalition to uproot the Namibian government from Caprivi but unfortunately you’re not. The opposition parties stand no chance of taking over government from Swapo. This shows that things will remain the same,” read their statement.
They further made a damning allegation that an agreement was reached with the opposition parties last year during one of their protest actions against the renaming of the region. “We all agreed in our petition that if the name Caprivi is not restored then we, the people of Caprivi, will not vote in the upcoming Namibian elections. Are you comfortable to use a voter’s card where the name which you disputed is printed? Have you accepted it?” further noted their statement.
However, DTA Secretary for Information and Publicity, Lascan Sikosi, admitted receiving the letter but said DTA rejected such a position as it believes voting is a democratic right of citizens.
“The letter reached our office but we reject their position. First of all, we are Namibians and people should vote because it’s their democratic right as Namibians. If people don’t vote how are you going to effect change?,” queried Sikosi.
Sikosi further noted the high treason case should be left with the courts and he denied ever entering into any agreement with the group.
“No meeting was held with the CCG. We are not part of their agenda. That is a lie and we urge all Namibians and residents of Zambezi to vote.
Regarding the high treason case that should be left with the courts. We just appeal to the courts to expedite the case,” stated Sikosi.
Bothman Sikute, the regional mobiliser for Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) said he does not see how boycotting elections would solve anything. “We are not of that opinion. We oppose it. Normally people in a democratic state voice their views through voting. If we’re unhappy with government we should vote it out. How does boycotting elections help?” asked Sikute.
He noted that the RDP was opposed to the name change because the name Caprivi had a historical significance but he insisted they did not enter into any agreement with the group.
“We did not want the name to change because we felt the name Caprivi should be known by the generation to come. Not voting was not on the agenda. We are Namibians and we should vote.”
Swapo regional co-ordinator, Linus Mafale, although stating he has not seen such a letter, noted that the Swapo Party has continuously condemned the group as their campaigns were a transgression of the law.
“I have not seen such a letter but we are telling people to go out in big numbers and vote. To tell someone not to vote is breaking the law. It is every citizen’s democratic right to vote,” stressed Mafale.
He also said the high treason case should be left with the courts, as the Swapo party had nothing to do with it. “It’s not the Swapo party which put them in prison; they are there because of the law. The law should equally be the answer to their freedom,” stated Mafale.
Among Swapo leaders who repeatedly condemned the group is the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Doreen Sioka, who recently said the group uses the guise of a “concerned group” while its intentions are political.