FRIDAY, 4.30PM
NAMIBIA’S president Sam Nujoma has faced widespread criticism in Windhoek for a television speech on Wednesday night which announced a ban on all public gatherings held without permission from the police.
Nujoma made the announcement after several weeks of demonstrations around the country by former guerrillas who fought for Swapo during the war of liberation, but have been unemployed since 1990.
Yesterday both the Legal Assistance Centre and National Society for Human Rights said Nujoma’s declaration is unconstitutional, and could be challenged in court. If police broke up demonstrations, the government could face claims for damages and personal injuries.
The National Society for Human Rights said all people had a fundamental right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, which did not require permission from anyone, including the president.
Meanwhile, in Oshakati, a thousand former guerrillas, who had camped out in Swapo’s regional headquarters for a week, agreed to disperse to their homes following assurances that a new list of names of job seekers will be drawn up, with preference given to ex-combatants.