Martin Endjala
The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (MIRCO) has assured the public, particularly Namibians in Mozambique, that their safety remains a priority.
The ministry’s executive director, Penda Naanda, said that Namibia, through its High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, and its embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe, is prepared to assist any Namibians in distress.
Naanda issued this statement last week in response to the ongoing violence in Mozambique.
“The ministry encourages Namibian nationals who find themselves in distress or in need of consular assistance to contact our embassies in South Africa at +27 (0) 12 481 9100 or in Zimbabwe at +263 781 49 7687,” he said.
Naanda added that the ministry is closely monitoring the situation in Mozambique.
The escalating violence follows the country’s general elections held last month.
Naanda expressed concern, noting that Namibia, as a sister nation, is troubled by Mozambique’s deteriorating political situation and urges calm and peaceful solutions to the political issues fueling the violence.
Despite the challenges in Mozambique, Naanda said Namibia remains confident that Mozambique has the capability, under its constitution and established institutions, to address the crisis.
Meanwhile, former ambassador Pius Dunaiski suggested that the Namibian High Commission should consider dispatching a defence or police attaché to coordinate safety measures for Namibians if necessary.
“The statement has come a bit late. We should’ve seen this coming and acted earlier and more proactively. The security situation was deteriorating for weeks now,” he said.
He said he is pleased that SADC has convened to urgently assess and address the situation in Mozambique.
He emphasised the importance of the MIRCO assurance as the Namibian government has an obligation, enjoined by the Constitution and Geneva Conventions, to act timely to assist, rescue, or intervene to protect Namibians abroad who find themselves in a distressed situation.
“It’s their consular duty. Our MIRCO minister must continuously remain in contact with his Mozambican counterpart to execute his duties as the situation has gotten out of control,” he urged.
The Namibia Revolutionary Transport Union (Naretu) has cautioned truck drivers to avoid entering Mozambique until the situation is brought under control.
The union advised companies not to send drivers to Mozambique but to use alternatives instead.
Al Jazeera reports state that weeks of post-vote violence in Mozambique claimed the lives of at least 30 people.
Mozambicans have deployed soldiers in protest against the Frelimo party, which has ruled for nearly 50 years.