SADC attacks countries undermining Venezuela's Maduro

WINDHOEK - Hage Geingob, president of Namibia and chairperson of Southern African Development Community (SADC), on Sunday attacked the countries that sought to interfere in the affairs and sovereignty of the Republic of Venezuela.

A statement released by the presidency on Sunday said countries had sought to undermine a democratically elected government of Venezuela.

"In particular, these countries have sought to undermine a democratically elected government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela led by president Nicolas Maduro Moros by proclaiming Juan Guaido Marquez as Interim-President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela," the statement said.

"SADC condemns such violations of the principles of international law, especially, the respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states," he said.

He further noted that the people of the Republic of Venezuela had expressed their political choices through parliamentary elections and presidential elections held in December 2015 and May 2018 respectively and "urges the international community and all stakeholders to respect the outcomes of these elections."