President Nangolo Mbumba rejected Jerry Ekandjo’s anti-same-sex marriage bills due to constitutional concerns. Minister Christine //Hoebes explained that the bills failed to meet necessary legislative standards and did not achieve a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. Mbumba prioritized adherence to constitutional processes in his decision.
President Nangolo Mbumba has opted not to sign the anti-same-sex marriage bills proposed by Swapo parliamentarian Jerry Ekandjo. The decision is attributed to potential constitutional issues arising from the bills. This information was conveyed by Minister in the Presidency, Christine //Hoebes, during a parliamentary session.
Minister //Hoebes addressed Ekandjo’s request for an update on his bills, which aimed to redefine ‘spouse’ and ‘marriage’ to prevent same-sex marriages in Namibia. Ekandjo previously accused the minister of evading responsibilities, citing her absence from parliamentary sessions.
According to Minister //Hoebes, the proposed bills did not secure the required two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and raised constitutional concerns. Ekandjo presented these bills in 2023, which included penalties of fines and imprisonment for those violating laws against same-sex marriage.
In light of these developments, //Hoebes explained that after succeeding former President Hage Geingob, President Mbumba had to reassess the complexity of the legislative process to ensure compliance with constitutional standards. She emphasized the necessity of a proper law-making process, including passing constitutional tests and following procedural protocols.
Minister //Hoebes pointed out that the bills failed to meet the basic norms and standards of legislative drafting in Namibia. Moreover, Mbumba raised legitimate concerns regarding potential constitutional implications since the bills were neither reviewed for constitutionality nor guided by proper drafting protocols prior to their introduction and endorsement in parliament.
Ultimately, due to these significant concerns, the president is unable to assent to the bills, reaffirming his adherence to the principles set forth in the Constitution.
President Mbumba’s refusal to endorse the anti-gay bills underscores his commitment to adhering to constitutional principles and ensuring that legislative processes are properly followed. The bills’ failure to secure adequate support and their potential constitutional implications highlight the need for careful legislative drafting and review.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
