Namibian parliament's oversight role over the security sector: a case study of the parliamentary standing committees on foreign affairs, defence and security of both houses
Loading...
Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study was an assessment of the oversight role of the Parliamentary Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security (PSCFDS) over the security sector in Namibia. The Namibian Parliament established parliamentary committees under the Standing Rules and Orders (SRO) or by resolution thereof for the duration of a parliament calendar. Every committee of the parliament established in terms of Sub-Article (1) of the Namibian Constitution shall have the power to subpoena person(s) to appear before it to give evidence on oath (Standing Committee on Rules and Orders of National Assembly, 2010). The focus of this study was on the Parliamentary Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security of both houses whose roles are to oversee the affairs and operations of the security ministries and agencies in Namibia. Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, observations and literature reading and was analysed based on qualitative methodologies. The study found out the need for committee members to be grouped based on their qualifications, expertise and experiences to enable them to make constructive contributions. The study also found the need for the current two houses of parliament to be merged into one so as to strengthen committee structures. The study further discovered a need for the political parties that send members to parliament to introduce minimum academic requirements for prospective members of parliament to enable them to interact openly and freely during meetings, conferences and summits.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Security and Strategic Studies
Keywords
Namibian parliament, Foreign affairs, Namibia