Caprivi Conflict - Course of The Conflict

Course of The Conflict

The Caprivi Liberation Army was formed in 1994. The rebel movement's goal is Caprivi self-rule.

In October 1998 the Namibian Defence Force with the support of the Special Field Force discovered and raided a CLA training camp. That resulted in more than 100 armed CLA men and about 2,500 civilians fleeing into Botswana. Amongst the refugees were leaders of the CLA, namely Mishake Muyongo and Mafwe Chief Boniface Mamili. Both were granted asylum in Denmark. Namibia unsuccessfully demanded Botswana and Denmark to hand over the rebels, and President Nujoma called the rebels "traitors and murderers" and stated that they would be punished for their crimes.

On August 2, 1999 CLA launched unanticipated attacks on army base, border post, and the police station of Katima Mulilo, the provincial capital of the Caprivi Region. They also occupied the state-run radio station. In the fighting that followed between rebel and government forces 14 people were killed. A state of emergency was declared in the province, and the government arrested alleged CLA supporters. Mishake Muyongo said that the rebellion was "just the beginning", but the government's hard crack down forced it to come to an abrupt stop.

The conflict sought many human rights abuses. Both Angolan and Namibian forces, and UNITA were accused of committing human rights violations against the population in the Caprivi Strip.