President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah officiated at the closing ceremony of the counter-terrorism exercise code-named ||Khau ||Ae, a Khoekhoegowab phrase translating to "Shield Together", at the Etiro East Training Base in the Erongo Region.

The exercise, conducted by the Namibian Defence Force, involved 700 troops at a cost of more than N$13 million. 

The exercise aimed to strengthen the NDF's preparedness to respond to terrorism and related security threats. 

It was held over several weeks and included simulated field operations, joint mission coordination, and tactical response drills.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Namibian Defence Force, President Nandi-Ndaitwah, said such exercises are consistent with the government's position to establish laws that prevent and combat crimes and threats such as terrorism.

The President said an effective response to such threats requires integrated planning, stakeholder engagement, and resource mobilisation.

"The purpose of government to allocate and spend resources, both human and material and financial, is very clear: to harness strength and fight counter-terrorism, preparedness, and resistance in the country."

President Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government's commitment to national security is demonstrated through the continued support to the Defence Force's operational readiness and training initiatives.

The training was intensive, and about 700 troops successfully completed the eight-week-long programme. 

Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed satisfaction with the exercise and said the Defence Force must continue to develop the capacity needed to address evolving security challenges and urged the University of Namibia to establish research areas that can strengthen the military. 

The president also used the platform to caution soldiers against choosing political sides, saying this can be dangerous for national security, and urged professionalism in the Force.