Caprivi conflict The Caprivi conflict was an armed conflict between the Namibian government and the Caprivi Liberation Army , a rebel group working for the secession of the Caprivi Strip . Background . The Caprivi Strip in the north east of Namibia is mainly inhabited by the Lozi people . They share a common language and history , and often feel more connected with Lozi people in neighbouring countries Zambia , Angola and Botswana . The Namibian government has accused the CLA of being allied with the Angolan rebel movement UNITA . UNITA is very unpopular in Namibia since it helped South Africa fighting SWAPO during the liberation struggle , and is considered to be an enemy of the state by many . One cause of the conflict can be seen in a previous power struggle between Mishake Muyongo and the SWAPO leadership during exile in Angola . In July 1980 Muyongo was ousted from being SWAPO Vice - President under the accusation of being involved in subversive activities and pursuing secessionist ambitions . He was subsequently detained in Zambia and Tanzania , followed by an alleged purge against Caprivians in SWAPO . After his return to Namibia in 1985 Muyongo formed the United Democratic Party ( UDP ) which joined the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance ( DTA ) . He was President of DTA from 1991 until 1998 when he was expelled as a result of his support for the secession of his home region . Course of the conflict . The Caprivi Liberation Army was formed in 1994 . The rebel movement ' s goal is Caprivi self - rule . In October 1998 the Namibian Defence Force with the support of the Special Field Force discovered and raided a CLA training camp . That resulted in more than 100 armed CLA men and about 2 , 500 civilians fleeing into Botswana . Amongst the refugees were leaders of the CLA , namely Mishake Muyongo and Mafwe Chief Boniface Mamili . Both were granted asylum in Denmark . Namibia unsuccessfully demanded Botswana and Denmark to hand over the rebels , and President Nujoma called the rebels " traitors and murderers " and stated that they would be punished for their crimes . On 2 August 1999 CLA launched unanticipated attacks on army base , border post , and the police station of Katima Mulilo , the provincial capital of the Caprivi Region . They also occupied the state - run radio station . In the fighting that followed between rebel and government forces 14 people were killed . A state of emergency was declared in the province , and the government arrested alleged CLA supporters . Mishake Muyongo said that the rebellion was " just the beginning " , but the government ' s hard crack down forced it to come to an abrupt stop . The conflict sought many human rights abuses . Both Angolan and Namibian forces , and UNITA were accused of committing human rights violations against the population in the Caprivi Strip . Aftermath . In 1999 , 132 alleged participants were arrested and charged with high treason , murder and a host of other offences . Judgement in the resulting trial , known as the " Caprivi treason trial " has not been delivered , a situation that Amnesty International repeatedly complained about . On 7 October 2002 , the Itengese nation severed all ties with Namibia and declared the independent , sovereign Free State of Caprivi Strip / Itenge their national homeland . This nation is not recognised by any other government , though , least of all Namibia .