Staff Reporter
THE National Youth Council (NYC) General Assembly in Swakopmund has been postponed after violent disruptions left nine delegates injured, prompted the resignation of the Electoral Committee, and raised concerns over the credibility of the election process.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture said proceedings at the assembly, which has been underway in the Erongo Region since 19 June, were disrupted on Saturday by what it described as “unacceptable, unruly conduct and violence”.
According to the ministry, nine young Namibians sustained injuries during the incident and received medical treatment. All have since been discharged from hospital.
Minister Sanet Steenkamp and Deputy Minister Dino Ballotti visited four of the injured delegates in hospital following the unrest.
The ministry strongly condemned the violence, saying no grievance justified causing harm to others and confirming that the matter is now being reviewed by the relevant authorities.
In response to the disturbances, Steenkamp decided to postpone the continuation of the General Assembly in the interest of safety and order.
The ministry said members of the Electoral Committee and the NYC Interim Board, who witnessed the events firsthand, were significantly affected by the incident. As a result, the Electoral Committee resigned with immediate effect on Sunday, citing safety concerns.
The ministry also acknowledged the conduct of the majority of delegates and affiliates, noting that they remained peaceful and exercised restraint throughout the proceedings.
In addition to the security concerns, the ministry confirmed that it had received a petition from several affiliates and regional youth forums raising issues related to compliance, delegate verification and adherence to the approved roadmap for the assembly.
According to the ministry, these concerns remain unresolved and must be addressed before the General Assembly can resume.
“The legitimacy of the General Assembly depends on a lawful, transparent and credible process,” the statement said.
The ministry added that the NYC Interim Board and other relevant structures would urgently attend to the outstanding matters and communicate the way forward, including timelines for the resumption of the assembly.
The General Assembly was expected to elect a new executive chairperson and board to lead the youth body for the next four years.
Photo: NBC Digital News
