A strong response has emerged from local residents following the recent illegal demonstration by the United Democratic Party (UDP) in the Zambezi Region, which called for the region’s separation from Namibia. The demonstration has drawn condemnation from various quarters, including concerned citizens on social media.
Two political leaders affiliated with the UDP have since been arrested in connection with the demonstration.
Fundo Harri, a resident of the Zambezi Region, expressed his concern in a widely circulated social media post, questioning both the origins and motivations behind the protest. He suggested that the protest may have been influenced by external forces with longstanding secessionist ambitions.
“I don’t want to sound xenophobic, but the Silozi I heard being spoken in other videos doesn’t sound like the local variety we speak here in the Zambezi region. It’s too perfect and resembles the Silozi spoken in Zambia’s Western Province,” Harri stated.
He went on to claim that some of the individuals involved may be linked to the Barotseland Liberation Front, a Zambian-based secessionist movement seeking the restoration of what it terms the “Greater Barotseland.” This territory allegedly includes parts of modern-day western Zambia, Namibia’s Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip), Botswana’s Chobe District, and Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls area.
“These people were crushed in Zambia, and now they are bringing their agenda to Namibia,” Harri alleged. He also raised concerns about the effectiveness of Namibia’s security services, urging the government to investigate the possible involvement of foreign elements.
“This is very embarrassing to the government. Where is our national intelligence? Where are these individuals gathering to organize such activities?” he asked.
Harri warned that such actions could have serious legal and national security implications. He referenced the events of 2 August 1999 when a similar secessionist attempt led to violence and loss of life and cautioned against allowing history to repeat itself.
He concluded by affirming his national pride: “The bottom line is that the Zambezi Region is Namibia, and Namibia is Zambezi. Period.”
The Namibian government has consistently reiterated that the country’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable and that any attempts to undermine national unity will be met with the full force of the law.
