New Namibia Constitution Unanimously Approved

The constituent assembly unanimously adopted a new constitution for the territory Friday, opening the way for independence for Africa’s last colony next month.

The constitution was agreed on by all 72 members of the assembly at an open-air ceremony on the steps of the colonial Tintenpalast administration building.

“Now, therefore, we the people of Namibia accept and adopt this constitution as the fundamental law of our sovereign and independent republic,” assembly Chairman Hage Geingob said.

The constitution provides for a bill of rights, a bicameral parliament and a strong executive presidency. Apartheid is prohibited and there is no provision for the death penalty.

Sam Nujoma, the president-designate and leader of the South West African People’s Organization, said SWAPO views the document as an impressive summation of the universally acclaimed principles, ideas and values of a democratic society.

“The masses of our people have a constitution which embodies their aspirations to be masters of their own destiny,” said Nujoma, who led SWAPO in a 23-year guerrilla war against South African-led forces.

“Present and future leaders will be governed in their actions by a constitution in which human rights are firmly entrenched,” Nujoma said.

U.N. Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar informed the Security Council on Friday of the developments in Namibia, where a 7,000-strong U.N. peacekeeping force supervised elections for the assembly last November. The force’s military components and a number of civilians from 23 countries have returned home.

“The secretary general warmly welcomes these developments,” U.N. spokesman Francois Giuliani said.

Giuliani said the U.N. leader plans to attend the independence day ceremonies March 21 in Windhoek, the capital.