The Namibian economy is suffocated. Public debt rose from 2 billion euros in 2013 to nearly 5 billion euros in 2017. Since taking office in 2015, President Hage Geingob has been trying to redress the economic situation by multiplying austerity measures aimed at to reduce public spending.

As a result, thousands of soldiers will be sent on leave during the month of February because the army has more money to feed them, reports BBC Africa.

According to reports from a private newspaper in the country, the source said, “the army is no longer able to pay water and electricity bills at seven military bases.”

Concerned about the welfare of the people, the head of state even stopped using the presidential jet and went to the recent summit of the African Union in Ethiopia by a regular commercial flight. This is the same means of travel that he used for his vacation last December.

Another strong measure: President Hage Geingob has banned civil servants from traveling abroad.

“No requests for foreign ministers, deputy ministers and other politicians to travel will be examined before the end of February,” a presidency statement said.