The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, has urged traditional authorities and councils to steer away from squabbles and disputes over leadership succession.

These Sankwasa warn these only lead to disunity and halt development.

Sankwasa said this when he officially opened the one-week legal framework training workshop for traditional leaders, secretaries and council members at Otjiwarongo.

"These divisions and disputes among members of the same royal family and community do not only prolong the filling of the leadership gap left by the departed leaders but also create unnecessary disunity and hold the entire community back from moving forward and upholding the legacy of peace and oneness that the departed leader or leaders worked so hard to instil in the collective interest of all members of the community. My humble appeal to all is for greater tolerance and respect for our customary laws and norms."

He urged traditional authorities to set up a Chief's Council, with balanced representation of members for day-to-day administration, and to work in unison with the government.

"This includes assisting the Namibian police and other law enforcement agencies in the prevention and investigation of crime. Ensuring that communities are informed of developmental initiatives in these areas, as well as settlements of disputes in the administrations of justice in accordance with the customary law."

The minister reaffirmed commitment to support traditional leaders' role in community development, dispute resolution, administration of communal land and customary laws.

Chief Sam Kambazembi of the Kambazembi Traditional Authority wants the government to review the customary and common laws to work hand in hand.

"We think that the customary law is not given the opportunity to be equal to common law because we have different community courts in Namibia, and when the person appeals the decision of a community court, he must go to a lower court, a common lower court, which is the magistrate, while these two courts are on the same level."

The training aims to strengthen the traditional authorities' understanding of the law, governance and protection of the rights of the people they serve.