Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Hage Geingob has commended the Namibia Defense Force for continuously carrying out its mandate optimally, without compromising the integrity of the country’s national security, despite limited resources.
The President’s speech was read on his behalf at the celebration of NDF’s 31st anniversary today at Grootfontein.
In his speech read by Vice President Nangolo Mbumba, the Head of State said that because of the great national trust and responsibility bestowed upon the NDF as the custodian of Namibia’s independence, it is equally expected that soldiers will demonstrate the highest standards of professional behaviour and discipline at all times.
“Therefore, issues of ill-discipline, mistreatment of civilians, and unpatriotic behaviour should not feature among the members of the Defense Force and when such ills are identified the Defence Force, High Command must promptly ensure that it is dealt with swiftly and thoroughly,” Geingob stated.
Geingob has also called on smart and goal-directed ways in the use of limited funds to further transform the NDF into “a truly representative institution of the national ethos of inclusivity, unity, freedom, and patriotism”.
“It is very important that the NDF must be seen as an all-embracing national institution which reflects the values of the Namibian State, and to whom all Namibians regardless of region, tribe, or political affiliation are beholden as a national sanctuary of safety and security. The changing role of the army in peacetime does not mean that there are fewer or no challenges that are posing risks to the safety and security of the Namibian State and its citizens. It only means that such challenges and risks have become more sophisticated and camouflaged in appearance, location, and modus operandi,” Geingob stated.
The President also applauded the contribution of soldiers to the following efforts:
• Crime prevention operations nationwide.
• Anti-Poaching Operations in Etosha, Mangetti, and Bwabwata National Parks.
• Anti-poaching efforts in the Zambezi Region.
• Assisting the fight against the African Migratory Locust outbreak in the North-Eastern and Northern Regions of Namibia.
• Provision of all-round support and assistance during drought relief operations
