Ministry of Defence
The Ministry of Defence was established at independence in 1990 as a department of state responsible for setting up the organisational and administrative structure necessary to manage the defence force .
The principal responsibilities of the ministry are to formulate and execute defence policies for the government, to provide central operational and administrative headquarters for the Namibia Defence Force (NDF) and procure its equipment. The creation of the Namibia Defence Force, which was one of the priorities of the government, is provided by Article 118 of the Constitution.
The main roles envisaged for the defence force are: to ensure the maintenance of sovereignty and territorial integrity; to provide assistance to civil authorities and community when required; to undertake ceremonial functions and to assist the process of reconciliation.
Structure of the Ministry
The ministry is headed by a minister who also chairs the Defence Staff Council, the ministry’s highest management committee, and represents the ministry in the National Assembly and Cabinet. The minister is directly supported by the chief of defence force who is responsible for military effectiveness of the Namibia Defence Force and the permanent secretary who is responsible for the financial, administrative and political aspects of defence police and its execution.
This directorate
is responsible for the formulation of operational concepts,
organisation, deployment, planning of force structure, policy for
support arms, management of day to day military co-operation, and
combat support services of the defence force. The chief of staff:
operations who is also a member of the ministry’s Senior
Management Committee (SMC), and the Military Steering Committee
(MSC) heads this directorate.
Directorate
Personnel
The core
objective of this directorate is the management of human
resources which includes selection, recruitment and career
development of all individuals in the armed forces and civilians
in the ministry. It is also responsible for all aspects of
discipline and welfare, terms and conditions of service, pay
policy, pensions and allowances, promotion and commissioning
policy, leave, and dress code. The directorate co-ordinates
training for officers, soldiers and civilians. The directorate is
headed by the chief of staff: personnel, who is also a member of
the SMC and the MSC.
Directorate
Logistics
The core
functions of this directorate are to ensure that the ministry is
provided with all the combat supplies and materials it requires
to carry out its functions in times of peace and war. Apart from
providing supplies to the defence force, the directorate is
responsible for the preparation of logistics policies, plans and
their implementation; recording the acquisition of new materials
and equipment in accordance with the defence procurement policy;
and managing all vehicles and transport related issues through an
efficient cost effective management practice. This directorate is
headed by the chief of staff: logistics who is also a
member of SME and MSM.
Directorate
Medical Services
The directorate
is responsible for the comprehensive improvement of health
services in the ministry. Towards achieving that objective, it
formulates health policy, overseas medical supply services and
ensures the general well-being of the force members. This
directorate is headed by the chief of staff: medical services who
is also a member of both SMC and MSC.
Directorate
Military Intelligence
The directorate
is responsible for all issues regarding military and security,
which include rendering security advice to the ministry; ensuring
security of all military installations, personnel and equipment;
collection and dissemination of security information; production
and management of the ministry’s communication policy; and
managing relations with the media. This directorate is bound by
directives issued by the minister, and the permanent secretary.
The directorate is headed by a chief of staff: military
intelligence who is a member of the SMC and MSC.
Directorate
Finance
The directorate’s
main objectives are to manage, on behalf of the ministry, all
financial matters of the ministry. Its responsibilities include
management and preparation of the defence budget, accounting of
defence expenditure, internal financial administration, and
management of the financial system of the ministry through
efficient financial accounting practices.
This directorate
is also responsible for compliance with treasury instructions and
various statutes regarding financial administration and is bound
by directives issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Auditor
General’s Office.
The directorate
is headed by the director of finance who is the financial advisor
to the permanent secretary in his capacity as accounting officer
of the ministry. The director of finance is also the chairperson
of the Financial Advisory Group and is a member of the SMC.
Division
Central Staff
This is an
independent division, established to provide a mechanism for
co-ordinating the work of the ministry on the instructions of the
minister and the permanent secretary. It is the principal agency
for processing submissions from the directorates to the permanent
secretary and the minister. The central staff is responsible for
the co-ordination of all policy matters and preparation of all
policy papers in conjunction with heads of directorates for
endorsement by the Defence Staff Council (DSC) and SMC.
It is also
responsible for the preparation of meetings and regional
conferences regarding defence and security, production of agenda
for these meetings and preparing minutes thereof, and protocol
and policy on VIP visits. The division ensures effective
production and presentation of development plans of the
ministry, creates good public image of the ministry through the
media, executes strategies and plans for the development of
information systems, and oversees the ministry’s internal
auditing function. The division is headed by a deputy director
who is also the secretary to SMC.
Division
Procurement, Research and Development
This division is
also an independent division, established to co-ordinate capital
procurement for the Namibian Defence Force, which includes
acquisition of all major military equipment, ammunitions and
materials, contract negotiations with suppliers, inspections and
reviewing condition of sales as per purchase terms, attending
military exhibitions to ensure effective sourcing, and liaising
with military equipment manufacturers to establish contacts and
supply channels. The division is also responsible for
researching, designing and developing military materials to keep
abreast of the fast changing technology in the military industry.
The
Namibia Defence Force (NDF))
The main roles of
the Namibia Defence Force are to ensure the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of the country by guarding against external
aggression, both conventional and unconventional; prevent
violation of Namibia’s territorial integrity; and provide
assistance to civil authorities in guarding and protecting
government buildings and key installations as provided in the
Defence Act.
The
Namibia Defence Force consists of the army, the air wing, and the
maritime wing.
The
Army
The main roles of
the army are to ensure the maintenance of sovereignty and
territorial integrity of the country; to provide assistance to
civil authorities and civil communities when required; to
undertake ceremonial functions; and to assist the process of
reconciliation. The army aims to create secure, integrated,
efficient and cost-effective communications system and create a
good public image.
The
Air Wing
The development
of the air wing is envisaged in the policy and mission statement
and concept of operations of the ministry, to operate in support
of the army and the maritime wing. Five separate roles for the
air wing are envisaged; three are both peacetime and war roles:
surveillance, transportation of personnel, and
supplies/equipment; and two are principally peacetime roles:
rendering support to civil authorities or community, and
training.
The
Maritime Wing
The maritime wing
was introduced into the ministry to defend Namibia’s
maritime domain and coastline against external attack. A number
officers have completed their naval training in Brazil and some
are still in training in that country.
Achievements
Since the
inception of the ministry, significant progress has been made on
many fronts. Former members of the People’s Liberation Army
of Namibia (PLAN) and the South West Africa Territorial Force
(SWATF) were demobilised and many of them were integrated into a
unified Namibia Defence Force.
The Defence
Amendment Act (Act 20 of 1990), which sets out a variety of legal
requirements for the composition and organisation of the defence
force, was promulgated.
The defence policy, which incorporates policy guidelines for the
development of the ministry, was approved by the National
Assembly in March 1992.
In carrying out its peacetime roles and responsibilities, the
defence force rendered valuable services in support of civil
authorities and communities as follows:
1.
it assisted in the repatriation and resettlement of Namibian
nationals from Botswana,
2.
apprehended foreign trawlers that were illegally fishing in the
country’s territorial waters,
3.
it conducted joint operations with the Namibian Police (NAMPOL)
with a view to ensuring that law and order is maintained,
e.g., by patrolling streets and manning road blocks, and guarding
state institutions,
4.
it conducted a search and rescue mission when a Cessna 210
aircraft crashed in the Namib-Naukluft mountains killing all five
passengers on board,
5.
it assisted the Ministry of Health and Social Services in
escorting pension paymasters to various pay points country wide,
6.
it conducted de-mining operations in the northern regions of
Kunene, Omusati and Ohangwena
where hundreds of unexploded ordinances were destroyed,
7.
it assisted in recovering stolen cattle from Angola and handed
them back to their rightful owners,
8.
its brass band and guard of honour performed at several
ceremonial events, and
9.
it assisted in the combating of bush fires.
Apart from the training facilities at the defence force’s
own military school, numerous training offers were received for
both short and long-term courses from different countries. Offers
were received from Canada, India, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Germany, and
others. Other courses were conducted locally at the Polytechnic
and the University of Namibia. These include courses in the
fields of computer science, chefs, senior management, accounting,
budgeting, and law.
After
the graduation of naval personnel in Brazil in 1998, the maritime
wing was established and is currently operational.
Several defence force members are also
attending different courses abroad in flying, aircraft
engineering, naval and maritime skills, etc.
In conformity with a Cabinet directive of 1998 to integrate
former fighters into the socio-economic livelihood of society,
NDF has absorbed more than 2000 ex-fighters in its ranks. They
have already completed their standardisation training and are
currently deployed with NDF. In addition, NDF has recruited
another 1080 youths into its ranks who are currently undergoing
military training.
In conformity with the Ottawa Treaty of 4 December 1997, on the
prohibition, use, stock-piling, production and transfer of
anti-personnel landmines, which was ratified by Namibia on 21
July 1998, NDF destroyed 50 tonnes of anti-personnel and
anti-tank mines on 24 July 1998. Only limited stock is kept for
training purposes.
Defence Force members also took part in Operation Welwitschia
which was aimed at curbing illegal border crossing and stock
theft between Namibia and Angola as well as other operations of
this nature between Namibia and Botswana, South Africa and Zambia
all of which have been a resounding success.
International
Obligations
In accordance with international obligations, Namibia dispatched
a contingent of forty-three soldiers and equipment to Cambodia
where they successfully assisted the United Nations in monitoring
elections in that country in 1993.
During the period under review, the defence force participated in
the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) in
1996 and has been rotated two times since its deployment there.
Although the UN Plan called for the withdrawal of all military
contingents by the end of February 1997, the Namibian contingent
was requested by the UN to stay on up to August 1997. The
government accepted the UN request and a replacement force was
selected, prepared and dispatched in March 1997. Due to the NDF
contingents’ outstanding performance throughout the
operation, its mission with UNAVEM III has been changed from road
verification and VIP escort to that of a Rapid Reaction Force
(RRF). That clearly indicates how exceptionally well the
contingent performed in Angola.
The contingent
continued to serve with the United Nations Observer Mission in
Angola (MONUA) at the request of the UN after UNAVEM III was
terminated. It’s duty in Angola ended in February 1999.
(However, the renewed fighting in Angola remains a course of
security concern to the Namibian nation in particular the fact
that the United Nations terminated its peace-keeping mission
there without peace being realized is regrettable.)
Government committed troops and equipment in the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC) on a peacemaking mission. Namibian troops
played a major role in the defence of Kinshasa in early August
1998 and more so in the liberation of the western corridor.
Considerable victories against the invading forces were recorded
and NDF troops have been commended for their excellent tactical
approach.
Training instructors, who were training the Congolese Armed
Forces in the DRC at Kamina military base have been praised by
the DRC government as second to none for their commitment and
outstanding military ethics. The professional approach of
Namibian troops to the DRC’s vast military operations has
won the hearts and minds of Congolese nationals including the
allied forces of Angola and Zimbabwe.
In a related development, NDF has twice sent on secondment senior
officers to the UN Department of Peace-Keeping Operations
(UNDPKO) in New York at the request of the said department. The
principal aim was for UNDPKO to acquaint participating
contingents with and involve them directly in the day to day work
of the department.
The defence force also participated in the following joint
exercises:
1.
Exercise Blue Hungwe conducted in Nyanga, Zimbabwe involving SADC
states’ armed forces from 1-20 April 1997.
2.
Joint Combined Exercise for Training, code-named Ex-Flintlock II
B conducted in Namibia from May to August 1997 and sponsored by
the US Special Forces, European Command.
3.
NDF successfully conducted the Battle Group Exercise (B-GEX) at
Oshivelo Training area.
4.
NDF participated in a SADC armed forces’ joint exercise
called Exercise Blue Crane, which took place from 7-30 April 1999
in South Africa.
NDF
Expansion
The ministry, in its objectives to prepare NDF to meet the
challenges of the coming millennium, purchased the Windhoeker
Maschinen Fabrik (WMF), a company which manufactures mine
protected multipurpose infantry fighting vehicles and other
trailer related vehicles. This action has been commended by other
SADC member states which have shown interest in WMF products.
In addition, the NDF fleet was boosted by the introduction of the
Wer Wolf armoured vehicles which were manufactured locally by
WMF. The Wer Wolf is a multipurpose mine proof vehicle ideal for
combat and peace keeping operations. The ministry and WMF have
been jointly engaged in a research and development programme for
over six years.
The NDF Air Wing purchased several aircrafts during the period
under review, including four helicopters in 1994, one Y-12
aircraft VIP version, and one cargo version. Three NDF officers
successfully completed flight instructors’ courses in the
United States for fixed wing flying. Meanwhile, NDF is looking
forward to increasing its air arsenal in the near future.
International
Agreements
The
government entered into a number of agreements as follows:
1.
Protocol of Understanding between the governments of Namibia and
Botswana on defence and security, signed in Windhoek on 26 July
1990.
2.
Memorandum of Understanding between the United Kingdom and
Namibia concerning the provision of personnel to assist in
training and development, signed in Windhoek on 26 April 1991.
3.
Agreement between Namibia and Brazil on maritime co-operation,
signed in Windhoek on 4 March 1994.
4.
Protocol between Namibia and China on provision of military
assistance, signed in Windhoek on 23 March 1995.
5.
Memorandum of Co-operation between the United States of America
and Namibia on the removal of landmines and other unexploded
ordinances, signed in Windhoek on 13 February 1995.
6.
Agreement between India and Namibia on terms and condition of
service for Indian air force officers on deputation to Namibia
signed in Windhoek on 20 February 1995.
7.
Letter of Agreement between Namibia and the United Kingdom on
short-term training teams in Namibia, signed in Windhoek, on 30
March 1995.
8.
Supplementary Protocol Agreement between Namibia and China on
provision of military assistance to Namibia, signed in Beijing,
on 23 May 1995.
9.
Maintenance Contract between Namibia and Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited, signed in Windhoek on 22 June 1995.
10.
Agreement between Namibia and Germany on the provision of
equipment aid, signed in Windhoek on 26 September 1995.
11.
Agreement between Namibia and Germany on the extension of a group
of military advisers to Namibia, signed in Windhoek on 26
September 1995.
12.
Maintenance Contract between Namibia and Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited, signed in Windhoek on 27 September 1995.
13.
Training Contract between Namibia and Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited, signed on 8 November 1995.
14.
Protocol between Namibia and China on provision of military
assistance, signed in Beijing on 25 October 1996.
15.
Memorandum of Understanding between Ghana and Namibia concerning
military co-operation, signed in Windhoek on 6 March 1996.
16.
Agreement between India and Namibia on terms and conditions of
service for Indian air force officers and airmen on deputation to
Namibia, signed in Windhoek on 15 March 1996.
17.
Maintenance Contract between Namibia and Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited, signed in Windhoek, 27 March 1996.
18.
Agreement between Namibia and Russia on military-technical
co-operation, signed in Windhoek on 30 May 1996.
19.
Supplement to the Protocol between Namibia and China on provision
of military assistance, signed in Beijing on 14 February 1999.
20.
Agreement between Namibia and Russia on military matters
co-operation, signed in Windhoek on 7 August 1997.
21.
Agreement on provision of military goods by China to Namibia,
signed in Beijing on 20 April 1998.
22.
Protocol between Namibia and China on provision of military
assistance, signed in Beijing on 2 July 1999.
Joint
Commissions
In nurturing peace with its neighbours, a number of joint
commissions have been established. The Namibia-Angola,
Namibia-Botswana and Namibia-Zambia joint commissions on defence
and security met annually. The above commissions have their main
emphasis on discussing defence and security-related issues.
Similarly, the SADC Inter-State Defence and Security Committee held regular meetings to discuss bilateral as well as regional defence and security matters. The first Joint Commission on Defence and Security meeting with South Africa took place on 12 September 1999.
Developments in the Caprivi Region which were characterised by the exodus of people to Botswana have had serious defence and security consequences. Majority of these people fled to Botswana after being misled by Mishake Muyongo, who advocated a secessionist bid aimed at dismembering the Caprivi Region from the rest of Namibia. After negotiations between Namibian and Botswana and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, a large number of them were voluntarily repatriated. The hard-core elements opted to remain in a refugee camp in Botswana. Some, who escaped from the camp in an attempt to reach UNITA controlled areas in Angola, were arrested in Zambia.
On 2 August 1999, secessionist rebels launched an attack on some government installations in Katima Mulilo, namely, the police station, the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation building, and the Mpacha military base. However, the security forces reacted promptly, crushed the rebels, apprehended some of them and took control of the situation.