New President commits to rule of law

Namibia's new President, Nangolo Mbumba, has affirmed his commitment to the rule of law and independence of the judiciary. Speaking at the official opening of the Office of the Judiciary’s legal year last week, Mbumba described the rule of law as an important constitutional anchor of Namibia’s democracy, The Namibian reports. ‘The drafters of the Namibian Constitution were very clear on the need to entrench the doctrine of the separation of powers (between the executive, legislature and judiciary) in order to safeguard our democratic institutions and principles,’ Mbumba said. ‘This is a doctrine we cherish, and, as President, I too will continue to reaffirm, as our late President did during his tenure, the doctrine of the separation of powers and safeguard its continuous application in practice,’ he stated. Mbumba said it was important to maintain a collaborative spirit between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the state, while respecting their distinct constitutional mandates. ‘This relationship is mutually supportive and must not be misconstrued as interference,’ he said. He said it was important that the courts and judicial staff should be able to perform their duties without unwarranted pressure or influence from any quarter of society.