WINDHOEK – President Hifikepunye Pohamba and Senegalese President Macky Sall have jointly reiterated the call for Africa to be allocated two permanent seats and five non-permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council.
The two presidents expressed this in a joint communiqué issued at State House on Friday during the official visit of Sall who was in the country from 24-30 August.
The Senegalese President was also the guest of honour at the commemoration of Heroes Day at Omugulugwoombashe on August 26 when he was conferred the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis in recognition of Senegal’s Pan-African solidarity with the Namibian people during the liberation struggle.
Before his departure, Sall and Pohamba and Sall signed four agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to expand and deepen their bilateral cooperation.The agreements are the “Agreement on the Establishment of the Joint Commission of Cooperation”, “Agreement on Tourism and Hospitality Industry”, “Memorandum of Understanding on Political and Diplomatic Consultations”, and “Memorandum of Understanding on Recruitment of Health Professionals and Medical Experts.”
The two Heads of State also witnessed the signing of the “Establishments of a Joint Commission Agreement and a Tourism Agreement between Minister of Foreign Affairs” Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Senegalese Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye.
At continental level, Pohamba and Sall discussed Africa’s political and socio-economic situation and expressed deep concern about insecurity prevailing in some regions, while hailing the ongoing efforts of the African Union in addressing these challenges.
The Heads of State called for the strengthening of the ethos of Pan-Africanism as espoused by the founders of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
They also called for increased interaction between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS).
Pohamba reiterated his full support for Sall’s chairmanship of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC).
The Senegalese President and his delegation had the opportunity to visit various tourist and industrial sites in Namibia before their departure on Friday.
By Magreth Nunuhe