Caprivi conflict

Caprivi conflict
A Namibian armed pickup truck serving as a military escort for a truck convoy through the Caprivi Strip.
Date 1994–1999 (5 years) Location Caprivi Strip, Namibia Result Namibian government victory
Belligerents
Namibia	Caprivi Liberation Army
Commanders and leaders
Sam Nujoma Dimo Hamaambo	Mishake Muyongo Boniface Bebi Mamili
Casualties and losses
Unknown	132 arrested
3,000 fled to Botswana

The Caprivi conflict was an armed conflict between the Namibian government and the Caprivi Liberation Army, a rebel group that waged a brief insurrection in 1999 for the secession of the Caprivi Strip.^[1]

Background

The Caprivi Strip in the north east of Namibia is mainly inhabited by the Lozi people. They share a common language and history, and often feel more connected with Lozi people in neighbouring countries—Zambia, Angola, Botswana, and South Africa.

One cause of the conflict can be seen in a previous power struggle between Mishake Muyongo and the country's leadership (dominated by SWAPO) during Muyongo's exile in Angola. In July 1980, Muyongo was ousted from being SWAPO Vice-President, accused of being involved in subversive activities and pursuing secessionist ambitions. He was subsequently detained in Zambia and Tanzania, followed by an alleged purge against Caprivians in SWAPO.^[2]

After his return to Namibia in 1985, Muyongo formed the

Formation of CLA, raid on CLA training camp

The Caprivi Liberation Army was formed in 1994, with the goal of self-rule for Caprivi.^{[citation needed]} The Namibian government has accused the CLA of being allied with the Angolan rebel movement UNITA. UNITA is very unpopular in Namibia since it helped South Africa fight SWAPO during the liberation struggle.^[4] Elections in 1989 showed that the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance had a significant advantage in the Caprivi region over SWAPO.^[5]

In October 1998 the Namibian Defence Force with the support of the

Meanwhile, preparations for regional elections continued, and in December 1998 those were held. Since the DTA had seen many of its supporters flee the country, SWAPO was able to sweep the election, gaining all six seats assigned to the area. Turnout in the regions from whence the refugees came was below 20%.[5]

1999 insurrection

On 2 August 1999 CLA launched unanticipated attacks on army base, border post, and the police station of Katima Mulilo, the provincial capital of the Caprivi region. They also stormed the state-run radio station (of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation) and Katima Mulilo Airport. In the fighting that followed between rebel and government forces 14 people were killed, including some civilians who were caught in the crossfire.^[5] A state of emergency was declared in the province, and the government arrested alleged CLA supporters.^[7]

Support for the rebels had come from Angola's Jonas Savimbi and UNITA, and from the Barotse Patriotic Front.^[5] Both Angolan and Namibian forces, as well as UNITA, were accused of committing human rights violations against the population in the Caprivi Strip.^[8]

The government responded with violence and repression, and the declaration of a state of emergency which granted it broad powers, and suspected rebels were tortured while imprisoned, according to an Amnesty International report.^[5]

Aftermath

Shortly after the unsuccessful secession attempt about 3,000 people sought refuge in neighbouring

In 1999, 132 alleged participants were arrested and charged with high treason, murder and a host of other offences. Judgement in the resulting trial, known as the Caprivi treason trial was heavily delayed, and prisoners were only acquitted in 2012, a situation that Amnesty International repeatedly complained about.^[10]

On 7 October 2002, the Itengese nation severed all ties with Namibia and declared the independent, sovereign Free State of Caprivi Strip/Itenge their national homeland.^[1] This nation is not recognised by any other government, though, least of all Namibia.

References