Parliament moves to strengthen oversight of executive

Sostenus Wilherm

Parliament is seeking to strengthen its oversight of the executive branch and improve public confidence in democratic institutions, with parliamentary leaders warning that accountability and effective scrutiny of government remain central to Namibia’s constitutional democracy.

Speaking at the Parliamentary Leadership Retreat in Swakopmund on Monday, National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said parliament must continue evolving to meet the expectations of citizens by strengthening its legislative, representative and oversight functions.

The retreat, attended by presiding officers, chief whips and chairpersons of standing committees from both the National Assembly and National Council, is being held under the theme “Strengthening Parliamentary Leadership for Inclusive Development and Participatory Democracy.”

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said Namibia’s constitutional architecture deliberately separates powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary to ensure accountability, transparency and checks and balances in government.