STATEMENT YA MWENYEKITI WA SADC TROIKA KUELEKEA UCHAGUZI MKUU WA NAMIBIA UTAKAOFANYIKA LEO TAREHE 27 NOVEMBA 2024

Statement by Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation

On the eve of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections of the Republic of Namibia

Fellow Members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC),

The Republic of Namibia will be going to the polls tomorrow, 27 November 2024, to decide on the country's next President and leadership of the 8th National Assembly, which aligns with the country's Constitution.

In line with the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021), which was adopted by all its Member States, SADC has deployed its Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to the Republic of Namibia to observe the country's pre-election phase, polling day and the post-election processes, to determine the country's adherence to the relevant provisions of the SADC Principles and Guidelines. These Principles and Guidelines promote regular, free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful democratic elections as key markers of democracy and good governance in the Southern African region.

Over the years, the Republic of Namibia has maintained an exemplary reputation of being a peaceful nation that upholds democratic principles and conducts peaceful elections across its regions with minor challenges. We trust that the citizens of the Republic of Namibia will once again showcase the delivery of an election process adherent to cornerstone democratic principles and the SADC Principles and Guidelines, both on and in the aftermath of election day.

I call upon all the Namibian eligible voters to participate in high numbers to vote and decide on the country's future leadership. I urge all political actors and their supporters to secure a successful, calm, peaceful election day and post-election period by acting responsibly.

As a region, we look forward to electoral processes that adhere to democratic values and principles envisioned in our SADC Treaty, the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, and the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021).

Finally, I join the people of our region, SADC, to wish the Government and the Republic of Namibia a successful and peaceful elections.

H.E. DR. SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA AND CHAIRPERSON OF THE SADC ORGAN ON POLITICS, DEFENCE AND SECURITY COOPERATION

26 NOVEMBER 2024