‘Zim, Namibia to scale up ties’

Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter

Zimbabwe is confident that the  cordial relations with Namibia will continue to be scaled up, President Mnangagwa said yesterday in his congratulatory message to Namibian President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the first woman to be elected into the post.

The 72-year-old President-elect won with 57 percent of the vote, according to official results declared on Tuesday by the Electoral Commission of Namibia.

Zimbabwe, said President Mnangagwa, was committed to taking relations with Namibia to the next level.

“On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Zimbabwe and on my own behalf, I wish to extend to you my most sincere congratulations on your historic election as the President of the Republic of Namibia.

“As you assume your new role, I am confident that the excellent relations between our two countries will continue to grow from strength to strength in the years ahead. I take this opportunity to assure you of Zimbabwe’s commitment and readiness to deepen and broaden bilateral cooperation with Namibia for the mutual benefit of our two peoples,” he said.

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President Mnangagwa, who is also the SADC Chairman, said President-elect Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory was evidence of the ruling SWAPO’s endearing resonance with the Namibian people.

“Your victory is a reflection of the trust and confidence that the people of Namibia have in your leadership to safeguard the liberation heritage and bring about socio-economic transformation in Namibia. I wish you good health, as well as peace and prosperity for the people of Namibia.

“Please accept, Your Excellency and Dear Sister, the assurances of my highest consideration,” said President Mnangagwa.

In its preliminary statement following the conclusion of the polls, the SADC Electoral Observation Mission commended the Namibian people for exercising their democratic right in a peaceful manner.

“The Mission noted that owing to operational challenges faced by the Electoral Commission of Namibia, as gazetted on 28 November, the President extended the voting period from 27 to 30 November at 36 polling stations to enable voters who could not vote on 27 November to do so.

“The mission commends the Namibian people for maintaining a peaceful political environment during the pre-election period and urges the nation to maintain a peaceful environment during the extended voting period,” said head of mission Anne Semamba Makinda.

In accordance with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021), a final report will be issued within 30 days of the rlease of the preliminary statement.

“The SADC Electoral Advisory Council (the technical back up) shall return at an appropriate time to undertake a post-election review to determine the extent to which the recommendations of the SADC ElectoralObserver Mission have been implemented and the nature of support, if any, that the Republic of Namibia may require from the SADC region to implement those proposals,” she said.

President-elect Nandi-Ndaitwah’s win cements SWAPO party’s 34-year dominance as Namibia’s party of choice.