President Hage Geingob says Namibia views economic inequality as the greatest threat to national global democracy.
“I wish to emphasise the fact that true democratic freedom is impossible to sustain in the absence of economic equity,” he said during a virtual first Summit for Democracy convened by US President Joe Biden last week.
Geingob stated that Namibia has prioritised poverty eradication, gender equality and broad-based economic development as enablers of shared prosperity.
“Only by creating a more just and equitable society will we truly ensure that our democracy delivers for the needs of our people,” he said.
The Head of State added that Namibia stands ready to hold hands with all the world’s democracies to strengthen democracy and pull in one direction towards an inclusive, stable, peaceful and prosperous future built on respect for the human rights and economic aspirations of all the citizens.
Namibia is a nation founded on the principles of democracy, rule of law and justice for all.
Since gaining independence, he said one of the most important priorities of the Namibian government has been the creation and establishment of an institutional framework necessary for democratic governance.
“Over the past 31 years, we have held seven free and fair elections, and I am the third democratically-elected president of our country in this short space of time, serving my second and final term,” Geingob observed.
The country’s judiciary also forms the bedrock of the nation’s governance architecture, and government views judicial independence as sacrosanct.
“The freedom of speech, the freedom of association and the freedom of movement are enshrined in our constitution. We are a nation absent of political prisoners and our commitment towards political, religious and media freedom remains resolute,” Geingob stressed.
As Head of State, he has furthermore unequivocally expressed the irrevocable commitment of the Namibian government to media freedom by stating that “as long as I am the President of the Namibian Republic, no journalist will be arrested or detained on the basis of their work.”
Geingob said testament to Namibia’s commitment and practice in maintaining an excellent record of media freedom for the past 31 years is that the World Press Freedom Index (WPF) published by Reporters Without Borders ranks Namibia as number one in Africa, and this year, the 24th globally with the freest media environment.
In terms of the fight against corruption, Namibia has put in place effective measures and established independent institutions to fight corruption.
All these efforts, he continued, are driven by a clear national political will of zero tolerance towards corruption.
- ktjitemisa@nepc.com.na