I don’t want to bring confusion – Mbumba

President Nangolo Mbumba says he could not extend his presidential term because he did not want to bring confusion to the country.

Mbumba made these remarks at the Olukonda Elcin Parish in his childhood village of Olukonda on Sunday.

“Some people are asking, ‘Why didn’t you stay on a little longer as president?’ You can’t stay longer if you have not been duly elected,” he said.

“Don’t look for trouble or bring trouble to your country because if you force yourself to be president, everyone will start fighting [to be president],” he said.

The president said Namibia does not want a leader to ascend to power without being elected or following legal procedures.

Mbumba said he would step down as president in four days and would be succeeded by a woman, president elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Nandi-Ndaitwah will be sworn in as president on Friday, 21 March.

Mbumba also used the platform to send a message to critics who believe women should not lead Namibia, saying those with such outdated views are “late”.

The president stressed that gender should not be a barrier to leadership, especially in a country that upholds democracy and equality.

He also pointed out that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia has a female president.

“You have already elected her [Nandi-Ndaitwah]. There will be no elections this year or next year. She will be the president for the next five years,” Mbumba said.

He urged the nation to remain peaceful.

Mbumba became Namibia’s president in February last year, following the death of his friend, president Hage Geingob.

When he was sworn in, Mbumba made it clear that he would only complete Geingob’s tenure.

“I am not going to be around for the elections, so don’t panic.

“You are already telling yourselves stories. I will be serving you for the remainder of Geingob’s term in office. We understand one another. Let’s support one another,” Mbumba said at the time.