Over five thousand United Nations soldiers and civilians have been dispatched to Namibia to ease that country's long-delayed transition to independence. Under the direction of Secretary General's Special Representatives for Namibia, the UN Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) is helping to implement the Namibian independence plan, which among other things provides for the Territory's demilitarization, the abolition of all discriminatory and restrictive laws, and free and fair elections to a national constituent assembly. The go-ahead for the historic operation, which is being carried out in accordance with Security Council resolution 435 (1978), was given by the Security Council on 16 February this year. A total of 980 UNTAG police monitors from 23 countries are charged with overseeing the Southwest African Police, who are responsible for maintaining law and order in the Territory during the transition period.

A UN Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) police monitor talks with a resident of Katutura, a black township in Windheok.