Namibia: President Nandi-Ndaitwah Calls for Stronger Counterterrorism Framework Amid Regional Instability

Executive Summary

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for the establishment of a stronger counterterrorism mechanism to reinforce Namibia’s preparedness against the rising threat of insurgent activity across Southern Africa.
Speaking during the first live Namibian Defence Force (NDF) counterterrorism exercise held at Etiro Base, Karibib, the President emphasized that regional instability in Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) underscores the need for vigilance and integrated defence capabilities.

Background

The exercise, code-named “//Khau //Ae” (Damara-Nama for “Shield Together”), was designed to evaluate Namibia’s readiness to respond to potential extremist attacks, organised cross-border crime, and hybrid threats.
It marks the first time the NDF has simulated live counterterrorism operations at a national scale — an indication of Windhoek’s proactive adaptation to the evolving regional security landscape.

Key Statements by the President

“We can, therefore, not afford to be complacent and assume that the threat of terrorism is far from our national borders,”
— President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah

• Geopolitical warning: The President noted that recent terrorist and insurgent activity in Cabo Delgado (Mozambique) and eastern DRC demonstrates the volatility of the region and the possibility of terrorist infiltration through SADC borders.
• Integrated defence vision: She called for cross-sector coordination, including military intelligence, financial oversight, and civil protection.
• Permanent institutionalisation: The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs has been instructed to ensure that counterterrorism operations and resilience training become part of the permanent NDF training curriculum.
• Regional solidarity: Namibia’s defence readiness, she stated, must complement regional cooperation through SADC’s counterterrorism initiatives and continental mechanisms such as the African Union’s Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).

Strategic Context

1. Regional Spillover Risks

• The insurgencies in northern Mozambique and eastern DRC have expanded beyond isolated acts of violence, incorporating transnational criminal financing networks, illegal mining routes, and ISIS-affiliated cells.

• Namibia’s location along emerging trade and transport corridors increases its exposure to cross-border smuggling and extremist logistics movements.

2. Operational Readiness

• The //Khau //Ae exercise represents a decisive transition from theoretical to operational readiness, enhancing coordination between the military, police, and intelligence services.

3. Economic Imperatives

• Ensuring territorial security is fundamental to foreign investment confidence in Namibia’s energy, port, and logistics sectors — all vital to its development strategy.

Policy Implications

• Whole-of-Government Approach: The exercise demonstrates a growing shift toward inter-agency coordination, involving defence, police, customs, finance, and community leaders.
• Regional Cooperation: Reinforces Namibia’s alignment with SADC’s broader counterterrorism agenda, including intelligence-sharing and capacity-building programs.
• Institutional Sustainability: The success of Namibia’s counterterrorism initiative will depend on sustained funding, data-sharing infrastructure, and early-warning integration with neighbouring states.

Analyst Assessment

From the standpoint of African Security Analysis (ASA), Namibia’s initiative reflects a timely and strategic recognition of emerging threats in Southern Africa.
While Namibia remains relatively stable, regional threat convergence—particularly involving the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF/ISCAP) in eastern DRC and ISIS-Mozambique—poses new risks to coastal and inland states previously considered insulated.

However, effective prevention will require:

• Institutionalising a National Counterterrorism Coordination Centre.
• Strengthening financial intelligence units to intercept cross-border financing.
• Building joint intelligence platforms with SADC and AU partners.

Conclusion

President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s declaration marks a pivotal shift in Namibia’s national security posture — from a reactive stance to a forward-looking doctrine of regional preparedness.
The “//Khau //Ae” exercise is not only a test of readiness but a strategic statement of Namibia’s intent to remain a shield within Southern Africa’s security landscape.

Importantly, African Security Analysis (ASA) possesses established intelligence networks and data mapping capabilities across the DRC, Mozambique, and East–Central African corridors, including prior investigations into ISIS-affiliated movements, financing streams, and cross-border insurgent logistics.
ASA is therefore well-positioned to assist the Namibian government in building a data-driven counterterrorism framework, improving early-warning capabilities, and supporting joint analytical operations under Namibia’s emerging National Security and Defence Strategy.

Through technical advisory, intelligence coordination, and policy structuring, ASA stands ready to collaborate with Namibian authorities to enhance resilience, deter regional spillovers, and strengthen Southern Africa’s collective security shield