Nine new traditional authorities have applied for government recognition.

This is contained in the report of the Council of Traditional Leaders handed to President Hage Geingob by the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, at State House.

The applications were discussed during the 23rd annual meeting of the Council of Traditional Leaders, held last year.

The report states that the Council of Traditional Leaders conducted a thorough review of the applications before presenting them to the government for consideration.

The report further highlights that there is ongoing concern regarding infighting and disputes over leadership within some traditional communities.

This, the report says, is still a concern for both the Council of Traditional Leaders and the government.

The Council had to reject more than five applications for recognition, stating that the majority of those did not meet the requirements of the Traditional Authorities Act.

President Geingob has not yet expressed the government's position regarding the new applications and the report.

However, the President commended the Council of Traditional Leaders for their proactive approach to addressing concerns within traditional communities.

The submission of the Council of Traditional Leaders' report to the President is an annual practise consistent with the law governing the traditional authorities.