Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Organization

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Also known as: UNHCR

UN agency providing repatriation assistance to Namibian exiles in 1989, currently denying claims of unaccounted funds from that operation.

Politics

Swapo court bid to evict ex-fighters fails, sparks internal row

The News

Swapo's application to evict former freedom fighters camping at its headquarters since October was struck off the High Court roll. The move has triggered internal party divisions, with former secretary general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana questioning whether the legal action was authorised by the central committee, while deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga says the politburo made the decision.

Why it matters

Swapo's failed legal action and internal dispute over how to handle former freedom fighters camping at party headquarters reveals deep divisions within the ruling party over governance procedures and how to address unresolved grievances from independence-era ex-combatants.

20 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 20 April

  1. Swapo court bid to evict ex-fighters fails, sparks internal row

    Swapo's application to evict former freedom fighters camping at its headquarters since October was struck off the High Court roll. The move has triggered internal party divisions, with former secretary general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana questioning whether the legal action was authorised by the central committee, while deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga says the politburo made the decision.

    20 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 19 April

  1. Windhoek High Court strikes down Swapo eviction bid

    The Windhoek High Court has struck Swapo's urgent application to evict a group of people camping at the party's national headquarters since October last year off the court roll, with the judge finding it did not meet the requirements for an urgent hearing. The group, led by Matheus Nangolo, are demanding clarification about funds allegedly provided by the United Nations for the repatriation of Namibian exiles in 1989.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 1 April

  1. Over 200,000 flee Lebanon to Syria as conflict escalates

    More than 200,000 people have fled Lebanon for Syria since fighting resumed in early March between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, according to the UN refugee agency. The majority are Syrians, including Syrian refugees who previously sought safety in Lebanon and are now fleeing again, along with more than 28,000 Lebanese.

    1 April 2026 · New Era →

Friday 20 March

  1. Swapo seeks court order to evict headquarters campers

    Swapo has filed an urgent application in the Windhoek High Court to evict about 50 people who have been camping at the party's national headquarters since October 2024, demanding clarity on alleged UN funds for repatriated exiled Namibians in 1989. The hearing is scheduled for 27 March after the court gave respondents time to obtain legal representation.

    20 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 5 March

  1. UK halts study visas from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, Sudan

    The UK Home Office will stop issuing study visas to nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan, citing widespread visa abuse and high rates of asylum claims filed after students arrived on legitimate visas. The measure takes effect this month as part of the government's effort to control immigration, with figures showing that about 95% of Afghans who arrived on study visas subsequently applied for asylum since 2021.

    5 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 February

  1. Venezuela's acting leader balances US pressure and Chavista loyalists

    Delcy Rodríguez, the new Venezuelan leader, faces pressure from US President Trump while maintaining support from her socialist base. She has agreed to oil deals with the US while continuing anti-imperialist rhetoric to keep her Chavista coalition intact, though analysts say she retains some leverage over Trump through his need to present Maduro's removal as successful.

    18 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 22 January

  1. EFN condemns verbal abuse of NBC journalists at Swapo HQ

    The Editors' Forum of Namibia has condemned the harassment of a Namibia Broadcasting Corporation news crew by members of the Former Refugees Repatriation Association at Swapo Party headquarters, stating that intimidation and obstruction of journalists performing their duties is unacceptable and weakens democracy.

    22 January 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 21 January

  1. Former refugees and Swapo remain at impasse over 1989 repatriation funds

    A meeting between government representatives and the Former Refugees Repatriation Association of Namibia (FRRAN) failed to resolve disputes over alleged UN-provided repatriation funds from 1989. The UNHCR representative stated that post-repatriation funds were not earmarked and that all assistance was fully accounted for, but FRRAN members rejected these explanations and plan to escalate their demands to the President.

    21 January 2026 · New Era →

  2. UN denies responsibility for 1989 refugee repatriation funds

    The UN Resident Coordinator has stated that the UN's role in the 1989 voluntary repatriation of Namibian exiles ended three decades ago and that all available funds were fully utilised and accounted for. The statement comes after refugees camping outside SWAPO headquarters demanded clarification on claims that N$21.7 million allocated by the UN for repatriated exiles was given to SWAPO but never distributed to beneficiaries, claims that SWAPO says it cannot substantiate with evidence.

    21 January 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 20 January

  1. UN denies unfulfilled refugee assistance claims from 1989

    The United Nations says all repatriation funds for former Namibian liberation war refugees were used and accounted for, dismissing claims of missing financial assistance from a group of over 400 returnees who have been protesting since October 2025. UN officials state the organization's role was limited to repatriation assistance, while rehabilitation and resettlement responsibility lies with the Namibian government.

    20 January 2026 · The Namibian →

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