President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has emphasised the importance of military-to-military interaction and cooperation between the Namibia Defence Force (NDF) and its sister defence forces in SADC, Africa, and beyond. 

The President highlighted NDF's contributions to various UN and AU peacekeeping missions around the world, dating back as far as 1993.

The UN's Transitional Authority in Cambodia was the first, followed by other equally successful missions in Angola, Eritrea, Sudan, Liberia, Kosovo, and Côte d'Ivoire, where Namibia's forces participated in the maintenance of peace.

"It is why Namibia is registered as one of the Troop Contributing Countries. At the regional level, the NDF played a critical role in restoring peace and security in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 1998 to 2001, alongside Angola and Zimbabwe. Regrettably, the DRC is currently experiencing conflict between security forces and militant groups led by M23. I call upon the two to find a common solution and an end to the war."

The NDF has also been participating in capacity building, joint training and joint operations with other militaries in the SADC region.

"Such exercises are also part of the African Standby Force. The upcoming field training exercise between the NDF and the Botswana Defence Force, known as Exercise Tswaragano II, serves to strengthen our military cooperation and good neighbourliness and ensure preparedness for any regional or international specific mission as appropriate."

As NDF marked its 35th anniversary, what would a parade be without a show of force and strength of its equipment to its Commander-in-Chief?

The event saw the Force parading its military machinery, including armoured vehicles and different types of fighter aircraft, all operated by experienced Namibians.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah, flanked by First Gentleman, Lieutenant-General Epaphras Ndaitwah, beamed with pride in viewing the Force's capabilities in protecting the country from land, sea and air.