NDN Staffer

PRETORIA, April 21 — Namibian President Hage Geingob has publicly voiced his disagreement with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. During his state visit to South Africa, Geingob stated that he believes the ICC should not have jurisdiction in such matters and that local courts should handle them instead. Geingob’s remarks echo his previous comments to then-US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, where he questioned the insistence of America that certain leaders be arrested by the ICC when they are not signatories to the court. Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that they are still discussing the pending arrest of Putin and have invited all BRICS member states to attend the upcoming summit. Pressure is mounting on South Africa to arrest Putin if he attends the summit due to the ICC’s warrant.

The ICC has issued a warrant for Putin over alleged atrocities committed during the Ukraine conflict, which South Africa has remained neutral on. The country is now in a difficult position as the host of this year’s BRICS summit, which includes Russia as a member state. South Africa will be obliged to arrest Putin if he attends the summit, but faces political and diplomatic pressure due to their historical ties with Russia and the geopolitical implications of such an action.

Geingob’s comments highlight the ongoing debate over the ICC’s jurisdiction and the role of international courts in dealing with crimes committed by world leaders. While some argue that international courts provide a mechanism for accountability and justice for victims of atrocities, others believe that they interfere with national sovereignty and create political tensions. As the debate continues, the fate of Putin’s attendance at the BRICS summit remains uncertain, and South Africa must carefully balance its obligations to the ICC with its diplomatic relationships with fellow BRICS members. – Namibia Daily News

NDN Staffer

WINDHOEK, April 21 — Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Namibia has commended McHenry Venaani, the President of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), for showing solidarity with Hon Job Saro Wiwa Sikhala, a Member of Parliament from the CCC who is being held in state custody on false charges. Venaani has written a letter to President Hage in his capacity as SADC Chair Troika Organ of Politics, Defence and Security, urging him to release Sikhala and calling for free, fair, and credible elections in Zimbabwe.

According to the CCC, Sikhala is an undoubted political prisoner who is being tortured for defending the vulnerable. The organization has called on citizens to flood the captured courts and demand his immediate release. They have also thanked Venaani for listening to their plea and urging SADC to take action against authoritarianism in Zimbabwe, Eswatini, DRC, Malawi, and other countries.

The CCC has also expressed concern over the arbitrary detention of Sikhala, who has been denied bail more than 12 times since June 14, 2022. The organization has called on regional leaders to intervene and put an end to the banning of political rallies and private meetings by the alternative government.

In addition, the CCC has praised President Nelson Chamisa’s delegation for engaging with the SADC secretariat and called for the regional body to observe free, fair, and credible elections that are immune from rigging, politically motivated violence, media capture, and private voter rolls.

The CCC’s statement highlights the urgent need for international pressure on Zimbabwe to address human rights violations and protect democratic freedoms. The organization’s call for solidarity and intervention from regional leaders is an important step towards achieving these goals. – Namibia Daily News