Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation has issued an urgent notice to its citizens currently in the United Kingdom or planning to travel there, advising them to exercise extreme caution due to ongoing riots and unrest in several United Kingdom cities.
Sabine Bölke-Möller, the acting executive director of the ministry, confirmed that anti-immigrant rioters have been involved in looting, arson, and violent clashes with police in cities such as London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Sunderland, Manchester, Hull, and Bristol.
In a notice on Wednesday, Bölke-Möller urged Namibian citizens in the UK to stay indoors, avoid large gatherings, remain vigilant, and stay up to date on the latest developments through local media.
“Namibians are also strongly encouraged to register with the Namibian High Commission to receive timely updates and support in case of emergencies that might develop if they become victims of participants in the racist uprising,” she said.
According to Bölke-Möller, the severity of the situation in the UK has created a need for Namibians to have heightened awareness and for the government to develop precautionary and preventative measures for the safety of all citizens abroad.
She said that the government aims to ensure the safety and well-being of Namibians during this period of heightened tension and violence.
Far-right groups have fueled the riots, which started after the brutal murder of three young girls in Southport, into widespread violence.
These groups have used social media to organise attacks on immigrants and related facilities, resulting in significant injuries to both civilians and police officers.
The UK media has reported that arson incidents targeting mosques, hotels housing asylum seekers, and other community centres have injured more than 110 police officers.
