{"id":80859,"date":"2024-11-20T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/british-high-commissioner-courts-controversy-attends-ipc-linked-mayoral-gala"},"modified":"2024-11-20T13:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T13:00:00","slug":"british-high-commissioner-courts-controversy-attends-ipc-linked-mayoral-gala","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/british-high-commissioner-courts-controversy-attends-ipc-linked-mayoral-gala","title":{"rendered":"British high commissioner \u2018courts controversy\u2019 \u2026 attends IPC-linked mayoral gala"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Namibia. <\/strong><\/span>British High Commissioner to Namibia Charles Moore\u2019s attendance at a dinner hosted by Walvis Bay mayor and deputy Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Trevino Forbes has raised eyebrows, and sent tongues wagging.<\/p>\n

This follows speculation about alleged support for the IPC from Britain.<\/p>\n

When asked about the issue, Forbes told New Era that he \u201cdoes not have time for propaganda used to taint a worthy cause\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are busy with the election campaign. I am heading a very important office, and want to work for my people. The fundraiser was to raise money for the construction of the Narraville Youth Centre, as we need funds to make it a reality,\u201d he stated. Forbes added that those with a hidden agenda will spread lies at every turn to get a negative reaction.<\/p>\n

Responding to a question on Monday, Moore said his attendance should in no way be seen or interpreted as interference in Namibia\u2019s internal democratic process.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy attendance at the gala dinner was in support of the Walvis Bay mayoral fund, which the British High Commission has been proud to support for the past three years. This was a non-political, charity event to raise funds for the welfare of underprivileged communities in the Walvis Bay municipality, and in particular the construction of a new youth centre in Narraville,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The diplomat stated that the allegations of British interference in Namibia\u2019s elections have been proven to be maliciously fabricated and circulated without any substance in truth. Such disinformation and those responsible for creating it should be given no credibility, he continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have not attended any political rallies or events during this election campaign. This was a charitable fundraising event, which was in no way affiliated with, hosted by, or held for the benefit of any individual political party. As such, indeed, I am proud to have supported this worthy charity for the past three years,\u201d Moore said.<\/p>\n

He went on to say he wholly rejects any suggestion that the British High Commission might try to influence the outcome of the elections.<\/p>\n

Asked whether his attendance this year could potentially affect diplomatic relations between the UK and Namibia, he reasoned that it can in no way be interpreted as foreign interference in Namibia\u2019s domestic affairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed, I would hope that my consistent support of such a worthy charity over three years would both underline and enhance the warm bilateral relationship that exists between Namibia and the UK,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Nothing wrong<\/p>\n

Reacting to the development, political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah saw nothing amiss about the diplomat\u2019s presence at the gala.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is nothing wrong with Moore attending the event, as that is part of his duties. However, the timing was wrong, given that his country has been linked to the IPC. But there is no more to it. The focus should be on the reason the gala dinner was held, and the fact that he was invited as a possible donor to the cause. There is no need for us as Namibians to debate it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Smoke<\/p>\n

However, former Walvis Bay councillor Romeo Goseb, who served on the ticket of the United Democratic Front, said this should not be taken lightly by Namibians.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere there is smoke, there is fire. We have seen foreign meddling in Africa, and the unrest in some countries. In some cases, developed countries assist opposition parties through covert means to unseat ruling regimes, and Namibia is no exception,\u201d he asserted. Goseb said conversations around the IPC\u2019s funding have been ongoing for some time, and cannot be taken at face value.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe international relations [ministry] needs to call them to order, or seek an explanation as to what they are doing.<\/p>\n

What role is he playing? Namibians overall should just have an open mind, think about foreign meddling and its repercussions, and take that into consideration when they vote,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The annual mayoral gala dinner took place on Saturday evening at the Walvis Bay Gymnasium private school, with a British-themed setting. It raised N$1 million.<\/p>\n

Apart from the business community, only IPC councillors and Popular Democratic Movement councillor Richard Hoaeb attended the event.<\/p>\n

The Swakopmund municipal council was represented by Swapo councillor Heinrich Hafeni. Those questioning Moore\u2019s attendance said the timing of his presence was suspicious, given that Namibia is heading to the polls in just seven days.<\/p>\n

This was Moore\u2019s third attendance at the annual gala dinner. However, many in the political sphere felt that he should have sat this one out, given that his country has been accused of allegedly funding the IPC\u2019s campaign.<\/p>\n

Propaganda<\/p>\n

The diplomat attended the gala just hours after IPC leader Panduleni Itula addressed a \u2018Go Out and Vote\u2019 campaign in Walvis Bay, where he denied links between his party and Britain.<\/p>\n

During the campaign, he accused his political opponents of resorting to unethical tactics to tarnish his image and undermine the IPC\u2019s credibility. He claimed smear campaigns were being launched, falsely linking the party to support from Britain.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe smear campaigns will start. You are not safe. Watch out with whom you are. Watch out where you are. Stay at home from seven. Protect yourself and your integrity. It will get tough for me as well. They have already started with a smear campaign about so-called support from the British. They already started, even with so-called support from elsewhere,\u201d Itula said.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Namibia<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Namibia. British High Commissioner to Namibia Charles Moore\u2019s attendance at a dinner hosted by Walvis Bay mayor and deputy Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Trevino Forbes has raised eyebrows, and sent tongues wagging. This follows speculation about alleged support for the IPC from Britain. When asked about the issue, Forbes told New […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":80858,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,12],"tags":[234,236,233],"class_list":["post-80859","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-policy","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-namibia","tag-namibia"],"yoast_head":"\nBritish high commissioner \u2018courts controversy\u2019 \u2026 attends IPC-linked mayoral gala - Namibia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/british-high-commissioner-courts-controversy-attends-ipc-linked-mayoral-gala\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"British high commissioner \u2018courts controversy\u2019 \u2026 attends IPC-linked mayoral gala\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Africa-Press – Namibia. British High Commissioner to Namibia Charles Moore\u2019s attendance at a dinner hosted by Walvis Bay mayor and deputy Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Trevino Forbes has raised eyebrows, and sent tongues wagging. This follows speculation about alleged support for the IPC from Britain. 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