Ndumba Kamwanyah unpacks the complex issues behind calls for Zambezi independence
June 5, 2025
After years of dormancy, calls for the independence of the former Caprivi region – now known as Zambezi – resurfaced yesterday, following a demonstration staged in Katima Mulilo by the banned United Democratic Party (UDP).
Defiant in its stance, the UDP demanded self-determination and the immediate withdrawal of Namibian security forces from the region.
The demonstration has rekindled long-standing tensions between Caprivian secessionist groups and the Namibian government, dating back to the 1990s. While the government maintains that the region remains an integral part of the Republic of Namibia, the UDP continues to push for international intervention and recognition of what it claims is a suppressed right to independence.
But what are the direct political implications of these renewed calls — and are they constitutional?
To unpack these complex issues, we spoke with political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah.
