Nujoma should unite, not divide - NSHR

The Namibian National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) has accused Namibian President Sam Nujoma of dividing Namibians following his public attacks on sexual and racial minority groups, news reports said on Tuesday. The NSHR said Nujoma should not ignore his constitutional obligation to uphold, protect and defend peace and democracy as the constitution of the country stated. “He has to faithfully obey, execute and administer the laws of the country as provided in terms of Article 30 of the Namibia Constitution dealing with the presidential oath and affirmation,” the NSHR was quoted as saying. The president is on the warpath, attacking sexual and racial minority groups as well as civil society actors - thus pushing for division among the citizens.”

Nujoma has publicly ordered police to arrest, deport and imprison gays and lesbians, saying homosexual behaviour was not permitted despite the country’s liberal constitution. “We did not fight for an independent Namibia that gives rights to gays and lesbians to do their bad things here,” Nujoma said recently. He also told Namibian schools to stop teaching in Afrikaans, saying children should be taught in English or their mother tongue.