In the early hours of August 2, 1999 the so-called Caprivi Liberation Army (CLA) whose goal was Caprivi self-rule launched an attack in Katima Mulilo, the capital of the Caprivi Region, occupying the NBC radio station and attacking the Namibian police station, the Wanella border post, and an army base. Their aim was to cut communication from other areas by attacking the NBC radio station.
I recall very well when the first loud gun shot went off as we were asleep my mom and dad woke up to see if a wall of the house had fallen since gun shots were so loud. Even though I was just 8 years old then, the memories of that day are still fresh in my mind. In the fighting that followed between the rebels and the NDF many people lost their lives. It was so sad that people lost their relative/family and friends. A state of emergency was declared and the government arrested alleged CLA supporters .The so-called Caprivi Liberation Army is said to have been formed in 1994. In October 1998 the Namibian Defence Force with the support of the Special Field Force discovered and raided a CLA training camp. One thing is for sure, the people of the Caprivi region will never compromise on their peace and stability as the memory of the August 2, 1999 secessionist attack is still fresh in their minds. They want reassurance that there will be peace in the region, and one of the major causes of instability in the region is tribalism - which is being fuelled by the secessionists' trial.Life in the town of Katima Mulilo, the capital of northeastern Namibia's Caprivi Strip, returned to relative normality this week following Monday's first anti-government rebel attack in Namibia since the country gained independence from South Africa in 1990. Shops reopened and people went about their business under a state of emergency as local government officials. --Chaze123 (talk) 12:35, 6 October 2011 (UTC)
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