Renthia Kaimbi
Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, says Namibia is building a national security framework that uses responsible innovation and international cooperation to protect its sovereignty and citizens.
She made the remarks at the 2025 Conference of the Global Security Cooperation Forum recently held in Lianyungang, China.
Iipumbu said Namibia’s vision is to create a public security system that is citizen-centered, data-driven, collaborative, and accountable.
“Security must safeguard rights while calling all of us – institutions and citizens – to shared responsibilities,” she said.
She pointed to measures already underway, including a training module on freedom of expression and the safety of journalists adopted by the Namibian Police Force.
“Protecting journalists is protecting the broader public interest. This curriculum equips officers with competencies to engage the media professionally, manage protests lawfully, and de-escalate tensions while respecting rights,” she said.
The training follows a July 2023 pilot programme for trainers involving officers from all 14 regions.
In February 2024, the Namibian Police, working with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), formalised media-police relations as part of the initiative.
Iipumbu said the collaboration demonstrates how innovation, training, and partnerships can strengthen security institutions while preserving rights.
By equipping officers with the tools to handle sensitive situations, she said the police can improve trust between communities and security forces.
Iipumbu said the government believes in security approaches that respect freedoms while maintaining order.
She explained that the training and cooperation with Unesco are not isolated events but part of a broader strategy to adapt security to modern needs.
“It is the synergy of adaptive innovation, capacity building, and international cooperation that enhances public security and deepens public trust,” she said.
She told the forum that Namibia will continue to refine its approach to security through innovation and cooperation.
She said the country recognises that challenges to safety and sovereignty require joint responsibility among government, institutions, and citizens.
Iipumbu said the country’s security framework should not only protect borders but also safeguard freedoms, promote accountability and reinforce trust in public institutions.
