president Hage Geingob

All that Glitters Is Not Gold

Oil is black gold, and its recent discovery in potentially commercial quantities in Namibia is a mixed blessing. QatarEnergy discovered light oil in their Jonker-1X deepwater well located 270 km off Namibia’s shores. We write this editorial knowing that years will pass before champagne corks are popped, and Namibia begins to rival the barrels of daily crude oil production of Nigeria, Angola, or Gabon. Nevertheless, the discussion about Namibia as an oil producer must start in earnest. Understandably, there must be a joyous gleam in the eye of those struggling to manage the debt-laden national budget while waiting for more…
Read More
Opposition blasts Swapo MPs

Opposition blasts Swapo MPs

Martin Endjala The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) deputy leader Henny Seibeb has called out Swapo Members of parliament, alleging that they rarely attend sessions, leading to a lack of finalization of motions. Seibeb an interview with this publication alleged that instead, the MPs choose attend to their personal ambitions at the expense of the nation, while they were needed to be in the chamber finalizing tabled bills and motions. Seibeb made the remarks following President Hage Geingob’s speech during the official opening of the 7th session of the 7th Parliament yesterday, where he said that the non-finalization of the High…
Read More
“Be beyond reproach”

“Be beyond reproach”

Martin Endjala Legal Practitioners may soon be required to offer free legal services to members of the public, as President Hage Geingob presented a proposal for mandatory pro bono legal aid before various legal professionals today. Geingob made the proposal at the official 2023 legal year opening today, saying that it will expand access to justice and will aid citizens who are unable to cover legal costs. The president also called on the Ministry of Justice in consultation with the Legal fraternity to come up with proposals that will improve the broader provision of legal aid, with the prohibitive factor…
Read More
Geingob admits ‘things are not going well’

Geingob admits ‘things are not going well’

Martin Endjala President Hage Geingob has expressed sympathy with the people who are going through economic hardships, but reminded the nation to stand tall and be united. “Yes, I admit that things are not going well, but we must stay united and pull together,” were his words when he addressed the leadership of the Bank of Namibia, during his visit to acquaint himself with the operations and functions of the central bank today. Geingob said services should be distributed equally to all Namibians and should not only benefit one ethnic group or selected individuals. “Let us stay united, resilient and…
Read More
Upper Middle Income grading makes borrowing expensive

Upper Middle Income grading makes borrowing expensive

President Hage Geingob has raised awareness on the challenges Namibia face as a developing country during the opening of the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in New York yesterday. He explained that one of the vulnerabilities facing Namibia is the country’s classification as an Upper-Middle Income Country, which he said makes mobilising resources to finance development goals difficult. “Global debt is at an unprecedented level and interest rates are rising. This reality limits our fiscal space. As we talk about our collective aspirations, we should remain acutely aware of the vulnerabilities facing developing countries. Namibia’s classification as an…
Read More
Geingob continues campaign for inclusion of Africa on UNSC

Geingob continues campaign for inclusion of Africa on UNSC

Martin Endjala President Hage Geingob has continued his crusade for against Africa’s exclusion from the United Nations Security Council, labelling it as unjustice. Geingob is of the opinion that, for as long as the Security Council fails to reflect in its stature and composition, it will not be able to adequately address global concerns. Hence, he reiterates on the call for the reform of the Security Council, in line with the Common African Position. Geingob stressed that the United Nations was created for the maintenance of peace and security, and should lead a peaceful resolution in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The…
Read More
Nothing to stop Swapo congress

Nothing to stop Swapo congress

Staff WriterThe Swapo nominations for its top four positions is done and dusted. There are some who are pronouncing victory over the limiting Helmut Amendments, while others cry foul over how the party constitution was raped to get some candidates on the list of competitors for the position of Vice President in particular. From media reports this morning there are suggestions that President Hage Geingob pushed through the nomination of people who did not meet the qualifying criteria. The specific nominees singled out were the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs and the Minister of Mines and Energy, as they…
Read More
Botswana, Namibia bi-national commission talks kick off

Botswana, Namibia bi-national commission talks kick off

Staff Writer The Botswana-Namibia Bi-National Commission, BNC inaugural session began today in Botswana. The BNC is a high-level bilateral platform that replaced the Joint Commission on Coo Operation and the Joint Permanent Commission on Security and Defence between the two countries through an agreement signed during the working visit by Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi to Windhoek in late January this year. Last year the two countries disbanded their Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security (JPCDS) during the 29th session at Swakopmund and elevated to a bi-national commission (BNC) on defence and security, chaired by the Heads of State of…
Read More
Endorsements stifle democracy<br>…Geingob urged not to anoint any candidate

Endorsements stifle democracy
…Geingob urged not to anoint any candidate

Tujoromajo Kasuto Political Analysts have welcomed the fact that President Hage Geingob has so for not endorsed anyone for top positions in the Swapo Party at the upcoming elective congress, stating that it will enhance democracy, competency and candidates who meet the necessary requirements may compete, including for the position of party President. Nomination for the positions is next month in September, it was announced at the weekend’s Central Committee meeting. Political analyst Rui Tyitende notes that the tradition of the sitting President endorsing a candidate of his choice has been the norm since President Nujoma and this practice does…
Read More
STOP PRESS

STOP PRESS

Staff Writer The Windhoek Observer has learnt that President Hage Geingob has communicated in writing to the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Governments that he would not accept the SADC Trioka chairperson position, citing difficulties Namibia is currently going through, which need his full attention. SADC Trioka is the body that attends to all regional conflicts and political tensions. The region is currently faced with instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where rebel forces have been destabilising the mineral reach country for years. Another flashpoint in the region is Mozambique, where SADC has deployed its standby force…
Read More