Churches are concerned by loose talk
This Statement is guided by the Church Leaders Declaration on Elections in Namibia 2009, which was officially launched on 31 March 2009, and of which a framed copy was delivered into His Excellency's hands on 28th April 2009 by a delegation of the Steering Committee.
In the Preamble of the said Declaration the Church confesses that it has "realized the failures of the Church in many instances since independence for not being obedient to God in raising a prophetic voice in search of a just society". The Church then states its unequivocal position in the same Declaration:
* to boldly take up the role of being a prophetic voice by speaking out clearly on all issues that relate to the wellbeing of the nation and to offer godly counsel to all elected officials on matters that will aid nation building;
* to take a strong stand against any violation of the fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in Chapter 3 of the Namibian Constitution, the Electoral Commission of Namibia's Code of Conduct for political parties and the provisions of the Electoral Act; and
* to denounce derogatory utterances by political leaders, party members ... and any actions that threaten peace and the rule of law.
The concerns expressed in this Statement arise from the two reported speeches respectively delivered by President Pohamba during the Africa Day celebrations at Ondangwa (Oshana region) on 25th May 2009 and by former President Nujoma at the Swapo rally, held on Saturday, 23rd May 2009 at Helao Nafidi (Ohangwena Region).
Concerns to His Excellency, President Pohamba
The article in New Era, of Tuesday, 26 May 2009 refers: the article reports that our President "condemned the establishment of emerging political 'so-called' oppositions." He is further quoted as having said: "I call them so-called oppositions because they are tribalistic and family parties. Take your time and look at the list of leadership of these parties, 60 to 70 percent of the leaders are from the same tribe".
His Excellency is hereby respectfully referred to the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, Chapter 3: Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms. The said Chapter lists citizens' rights, which can never ever be taken away. Article 5 states that these rights "shall be respected and upheld by the Executive (which includes the President), Legislature and Judiciary ...". Article 17 (1) provides that "... All citizens shall have the right to form and join political parties ...". This is further confirmed by Article 21: "All persons shall have the right to ... (e) freedom of association, which shall include freedom to form and join associations or unions, including trade unions and political parties". Article 39 (1) (a) of the Electoral Act, Act 24 of 1992 as amended, states that the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) can only register a political party if the ECN is satisfied "(ii) that any object of that political party is not prejudicial to the safety of the State, the public welfare or the peace and good order.
It is thus exclusively incumbent upon the ECN to reject or withdraw the registration of any political party based upon the electoral law. If any political party therefore has proof of any transgression of the law in this respect, that party is then free to approach the ECN or the courts for redress. It is hereby humbly submitted that it is unbecoming for any democratically elected Head of State to publicly vilify, demoralize and belittle any lawfully registered political party and at the same time incite mass gatherings and - via the media, call upon the entire country - to condemn any opposition party without providing legal grounds for such condemnation.
While His Excellency is commended for denouncing politically motivated provocation and violence, utterances such as those reportedly expressed and referred to above, are in conflict with democratic statesmanship and contrary to His Excellency's mandate to be the President of the entire Namibian nation, including members of opposition parties.
Concerns to the Founding President, Dr Sam Nujoma
As the Steering Committee appointed by church leaders from about 57 different churches on 19th February 2009 we are extremely concerned about the retired President, Dr Sam Nujoma's reported attacks on some churches, "which he accused of being 'false churches' out to 'disturb (in Oshiwambo: destroy) peace and stability' and 'misguide the people'"(The Namibian of Tuesday, 26th May 2009).
We respectfully refer the former President to Article 19 of the Namibian Constitution, which states: "Every person shall be entitled to enjoy, practice, profess, maintain and promote any culture, language, tradition or religion subject to the terms of this Constitution and further subject to the condition that the rights protected by this Article do not impinge upon the rights of others or the national interest."
According to the same newspaper article the former President also targeted foreigners in Namibia with these words: "We will only work together and co-operate with those foreigners who are respecting us and those who do not can pack and go or they will face bullets in their heads." Why such abrasive language? Which foreigner or group or representative from a foreign country has committed an offence after independence to deserve this threat? Is Namibia not heavily reliant on foreign aid? Just recently foreigners dug deep into their own and their respective countries' taxpayers' pockets to help flood victims in northern Namibia. In addition, in whose name is the retired President speaking? Who are the "we" he is referring to?
Another newspaper article that is cause for concern to the Church, is the one published in Die Republikein of Tuesday, 26th May 2009 (as well as the article in the Oshiwambo section in The Namibian of the same date) according to which the former President reportedly singled out four church denominations to be the only true churches in Namibia, while at the same rejecting the authority of the Bible, which is the foundation of all Christian churches including the four churches Dr Nujoma singled out.
The same Republikein newspaper article reports that our Founding President threatened criminals that their throats would be cut and that people who "try to remove" the national flag must be buried alive. These utterances are also in contravention of Article 6 of the Namibian Constitution, which the Founding President is a signatory to: "No executions shall take place in Namibia" - not to mention cutting people's throats, shooting them in the head or burying them alive!
The former President has been honoured with the title "Father of the Nation". Namibians from all walks of life need to experience the kind behaviour and fatherly language that promotes harmony, unity and mutual trust, which is commensurate with this noble position.
In Conclusion
The Namibian nation and legitimate residents, visitors and investors from other countries are yearning for peace, tranquillity and the consistent application of our laws, including all Constitutional provisions, so that all of us may go about our daily lawful activities without feeling excluded or being vilified and harassed. We trust that these legitimate concerns stir the fatherly hearts of both the present and the retired Presidents. We assure them of our continued prayers.
Dr Abisai Shejavali, Chairperson, on behalf of the Steering Committee, Churches and Elections in Namibia, PO Box 86305 Eros, Windhoek, Fax: 061-224823, E-Mail: [email protected]
Windhoek, 4th June 2009
Anm. der Red.: Der Offene Brief wurde leicht gekürzt.
In the Preamble of the said Declaration the Church confesses that it has "realized the failures of the Church in many instances since independence for not being obedient to God in raising a prophetic voice in search of a just society". The Church then states its unequivocal position in the same Declaration:
* to boldly take up the role of being a prophetic voice by speaking out clearly on all issues that relate to the wellbeing of the nation and to offer godly counsel to all elected officials on matters that will aid nation building;
* to take a strong stand against any violation of the fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in Chapter 3 of the Namibian Constitution, the Electoral Commission of Namibia's Code of Conduct for political parties and the provisions of the Electoral Act; and
* to denounce derogatory utterances by political leaders, party members ... and any actions that threaten peace and the rule of law.
The concerns expressed in this Statement arise from the two reported speeches respectively delivered by President Pohamba during the Africa Day celebrations at Ondangwa (Oshana region) on 25th May 2009 and by former President Nujoma at the Swapo rally, held on Saturday, 23rd May 2009 at Helao Nafidi (Ohangwena Region).
Concerns to His Excellency, President Pohamba
The article in New Era, of Tuesday, 26 May 2009 refers: the article reports that our President "condemned the establishment of emerging political 'so-called' oppositions." He is further quoted as having said: "I call them so-called oppositions because they are tribalistic and family parties. Take your time and look at the list of leadership of these parties, 60 to 70 percent of the leaders are from the same tribe".
His Excellency is hereby respectfully referred to the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, Chapter 3: Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms. The said Chapter lists citizens' rights, which can never ever be taken away. Article 5 states that these rights "shall be respected and upheld by the Executive (which includes the President), Legislature and Judiciary ...". Article 17 (1) provides that "... All citizens shall have the right to form and join political parties ...". This is further confirmed by Article 21: "All persons shall have the right to ... (e) freedom of association, which shall include freedom to form and join associations or unions, including trade unions and political parties". Article 39 (1) (a) of the Electoral Act, Act 24 of 1992 as amended, states that the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) can only register a political party if the ECN is satisfied "(ii) that any object of that political party is not prejudicial to the safety of the State, the public welfare or the peace and good order.
It is thus exclusively incumbent upon the ECN to reject or withdraw the registration of any political party based upon the electoral law. If any political party therefore has proof of any transgression of the law in this respect, that party is then free to approach the ECN or the courts for redress. It is hereby humbly submitted that it is unbecoming for any democratically elected Head of State to publicly vilify, demoralize and belittle any lawfully registered political party and at the same time incite mass gatherings and - via the media, call upon the entire country - to condemn any opposition party without providing legal grounds for such condemnation.
While His Excellency is commended for denouncing politically motivated provocation and violence, utterances such as those reportedly expressed and referred to above, are in conflict with democratic statesmanship and contrary to His Excellency's mandate to be the President of the entire Namibian nation, including members of opposition parties.
Concerns to the Founding President, Dr Sam Nujoma
As the Steering Committee appointed by church leaders from about 57 different churches on 19th February 2009 we are extremely concerned about the retired President, Dr Sam Nujoma's reported attacks on some churches, "which he accused of being 'false churches' out to 'disturb (in Oshiwambo: destroy) peace and stability' and 'misguide the people'"(The Namibian of Tuesday, 26th May 2009).
We respectfully refer the former President to Article 19 of the Namibian Constitution, which states: "Every person shall be entitled to enjoy, practice, profess, maintain and promote any culture, language, tradition or religion subject to the terms of this Constitution and further subject to the condition that the rights protected by this Article do not impinge upon the rights of others or the national interest."
According to the same newspaper article the former President also targeted foreigners in Namibia with these words: "We will only work together and co-operate with those foreigners who are respecting us and those who do not can pack and go or they will face bullets in their heads." Why such abrasive language? Which foreigner or group or representative from a foreign country has committed an offence after independence to deserve this threat? Is Namibia not heavily reliant on foreign aid? Just recently foreigners dug deep into their own and their respective countries' taxpayers' pockets to help flood victims in northern Namibia. In addition, in whose name is the retired President speaking? Who are the "we" he is referring to?
Another newspaper article that is cause for concern to the Church, is the one published in Die Republikein of Tuesday, 26th May 2009 (as well as the article in the Oshiwambo section in The Namibian of the same date) according to which the former President reportedly singled out four church denominations to be the only true churches in Namibia, while at the same rejecting the authority of the Bible, which is the foundation of all Christian churches including the four churches Dr Nujoma singled out.
The same Republikein newspaper article reports that our Founding President threatened criminals that their throats would be cut and that people who "try to remove" the national flag must be buried alive. These utterances are also in contravention of Article 6 of the Namibian Constitution, which the Founding President is a signatory to: "No executions shall take place in Namibia" - not to mention cutting people's throats, shooting them in the head or burying them alive!
The former President has been honoured with the title "Father of the Nation". Namibians from all walks of life need to experience the kind behaviour and fatherly language that promotes harmony, unity and mutual trust, which is commensurate with this noble position.
In Conclusion
The Namibian nation and legitimate residents, visitors and investors from other countries are yearning for peace, tranquillity and the consistent application of our laws, including all Constitutional provisions, so that all of us may go about our daily lawful activities without feeling excluded or being vilified and harassed. We trust that these legitimate concerns stir the fatherly hearts of both the present and the retired Presidents. We assure them of our continued prayers.
Dr Abisai Shejavali, Chairperson, on behalf of the Steering Committee, Churches and Elections in Namibia, PO Box 86305 Eros, Windhoek, Fax: 061-224823, E-Mail: [email protected]
Windhoek, 4th June 2009
Anm. der Red.: Der Offene Brief wurde leicht gekürzt.
Kommentar
Allgemeine Zeitung
Zu diesem Artikel wurden keine Kommentare hinterlassen