Report by a group of ecumenical observers in Namibia during the period leading to elections, including Bishop Herman Sticher, United Methodist Church and Protestant Association for World Mission, Federal Republic of German; Rev. George Houser, United Methodist Church (USA), Executive Director, American Committee on Africa; Rev. Iain Whyte, Church of Scotland, Convener, Africa Committee, British Council of Churches; and Trevor Jepson, Society of Friends (Quakers), Southern Africa Committee, Quaker Peace and Service, British Council of Churches. The group met with political parties, UNTAG (United Nations Transitional Assistance Group), and others in Kavango, Ovambo, and Windhoek. The report...
Report by a group of ecumenical observers in Namibia during the period leading to elections, including Bishop Herman Sticher, United Methodist Church and Protestant Association for World Mission, Federal Republic of German; Rev. George Houser, United Methodist Church (USA), Executive Director, American Committee on Africa; Rev. Iain Whyte, Church of Scotland, Convener, Africa Committee, British Council of Churches; and Trevor Jepson, Society of Friends (Quakers), Southern Africa Committee, Quaker Peace and Service, British Council of Churches. The group met with political parties, UNTAG (United Nations Transitional Assistance Group), and others in Kavango, Ovambo, and Windhoek. The report says all agreed that Namibia has already seen dramatic changes for the better since April 1, 1989, after implementation of U.N. Resolution 435. Concern was expressed about the activities of ex-Koevoet and ex-SWA army members. An overwhelming majority of those interviewed praised the churches’ work contributing to the independence process. The churches were responsible for the welfare of some 41,000 exiles and refugees once they had been brought back to Namibia by the UNHCR, despite the Administrator General’s refusal to recognize the Council of Churches of Namibia (CCN) as a partner with the UNHCR and his preventing access of church representatives to entry points. Superintendent Peter Fitzgerald, Commander of UN Police (CIVPOL) at Oshakati, said 90% of cases of reported intimidation for the whole country were in Kaokoland and Ovamboland. The group heard about UNITA patrols crossing the border from Angola and harassing people. The report discusses why the delay in the election laws and why understanding of voting procedures is important. There was some delay in South Africa releasing political prisoners until detainees held by SWAPO had been accounted for. Accusations against SWAPO were taken seriously; the UN Special Representative set up an investigating commission, headed by Ambassador A.B. Clark, which consulted with the Parents Committee, the International Society for Human Rights, Amnesty, and SWAPO-D. The report also discussed the position of women, the plight of the Bushman, the post-election period, and the economic outlook. The report mentions the South West Africa Army, ELCSWA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in South West Africa), SWAPO (South West African People's Organization), DTA (Democratic Turnhalle Alliance), UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund), NPF (Namibia Patriotic Front), NNF (Namibian National Front), (NANSO National Students' Organization), Damara, Nama, Kavango, Caprivi, Windhoek, Tsumeb, Okahandja, Swakomund, NUNA (National Union of Namibian Workers), Sam Nujoma, SWANU (South West African National Union), Oshakati Hospital, UN police monitors, SWATF (South West Africa Territorial Force), Chief Riruako, the Herero, Dirk Mudge, Mishake Muyongo, CANU (Caprivi African National Union), Jean Arnault, Rev. Itta, the EGKA (Reformed) Church, and NANTU (Namibian National Teachers Union). [This may be a draft report. It uses British spelling and may have been produced in the United Kingdom.]
