Riruako calls for Oveherero unity

• By Erasmus Shalihaxwe

Newly coronated Ovaherero Paramount Chief Dr Hoze Riruako said the infights between the two factions would keep delaying the genocide negotiations, and the only way forward is to unite.

Riruako was elected the seventh Ovaherero paramount chief early this year at Otjimbingwe after getting 195 votes ahead of politicians McHenry Venaani, who got 41 votes and Mike Kavekotora, 33.

His election came a few months after another Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) faction installed Professor Mutjinde Katjiua as Ombara Otjitambi.

The two groups have since been at loggerheads over who should be the legitimate paramount chief and the procedures to be followed.

They have filed several urgent court applications concerning the matter, and a court case is currently pending.

The government has also not pronounced itself on the matter and who it will recognize as the sole representative of the ovaherero people.

Riruako, however, said he is ready to sit at the same table with Professor Katjiua for peace talks to unite all Ovaherero people and Namibians to fight the challenges they face.

“For sure, I am ready to meet him and hopefully come to a peaceful conclusion after the meeting. It is not just him that I wish to meet but all the Ovaherero people,” Riruako said.

For more on this & other stories:Grab a copy of the Newspaper