Nujoma defends Mugabe & warns against British intervention

By Tererai Karimakwenda
18 July 2006

It is no secret that the former Namibian head of state Sam Nujoma is a firm supporter of Robert Mugabe and his land reform policy. But many Namibians were caught off guard this past weekend when Nujoma reaffirmed his loyalty to Mugabe then made threats against the British as he boasted about Namibia’s atomic capabilities. Speaking at the inauguration of the northern railway line at Ondangwa on Saturday, Nujoma said: "The British should be careful because they're trying to break down Mugabe's Zimbabwe... If the English imperialists make a mistake today to occupy Zimbabwe, I will instruct Swapo to go fight for the Zimbabweans.”
Phil ya Nangoloh, executive director of the Namibia National Society For Human Rights told us he was not surprised by Nujoma’s outburst. He said Nujoma had been snubbed at the railway ceremony and felt the need to lash out. Ya Nangoloh said Namibians do not agree with Nujoma’s views even though he is still popular and heads the ruling SWAPO party. He said: “Namibians realise there is a serious erosion of human rights next door because many Zimbabweans are street vendors here who are telling them what is happening.” Ya Nangoloh informed us that callers on radio talk shows have shown clear reservations about Nujoma’s statements. He added that the demolitions of Operation Murambatsvina were seen by many Namibians on television so they know the real situation that is causing Zimbabweans to show up in large numbers in their country.
Ya Nangoloh believes Nujoma creates the impression he is still in charge of the country and the current leader Pohamba is his second. The former leader has been criticised for becoming more like a dictator in his current role as his friendship with Mugabe has grown. Local reports have quoted Nujoma saying: "We have uranium here and we train our own scientists and engineers. If they create nonsense, we can make our own atomic bombs." Ya Nangoloh believes Nujoma was threatening the Kwanyama people, the majority group from which President Pohamba hails. This same strategy of instilling fear in his opponents is being used by Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe.