Rudolf Gaiseb
Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Economy, Industry, Public Administration and Planning Hilma Iita says that Namibia maintains the implementation of the Samoa Agreement and respect sovereignty, constitutional principles, national priorities, and cultural contexts.
Namibia supports the Samoa Agreement as an important framework for partnership, development cooperation, and multilateral engagement among our nations, but these national values must be upheld, she said at this year’s Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Africa Region Parliamentary Group Meetings.
However simultaneously, she maintained, the implementation of international agreements must fully hold up domestic legislative processes.
“In this regard, Namibia wishes to reiterate that while it signed the Samoa Agreement, it entered formal reservations on certain provisions, particularly concerning undefined terminology and commitments relating to sexual and reproductive health and rights, pending adequate national deliberations and constitutional consideration,” she said.
Iita led the National Assembly parliamentary delegation, comprising the leader of the Official Opposition, Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Immanuel Nashinge, and Swapo Party MP Sebastian Karupu, who are also part of the delegation. The meetings took place in Ezulwini Valley, Kingdom of Eswatini, from 7 to 11 May 2026.
The meetings represent a key milestone in strengthening parliamentary coordination within the Africa Regional Protocol, where various parliamentarians engaged on issues affecting the continent, setting the stage for the 1st Africa–EU Parliamentary Assembly (European Parliament) to be held from 12 to 14 May 2026.
Iita affirmed Namibia’s firm commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, constitutional democracy, good governance, and the rule of law.
This includes the support for transparent institutions, accountability, and meaningful citizen participation in governance processes.
The OACPS-EU Partnership Agreement, also known as the Samoa Agreement, governs the relationship between the EU and its member states and the members of the OACPS.
This partnership agreement is the legal framework for EU relations with 77 countries.
This includes 15 Caribbean countries, 15 Pacific countries and 47 African countries, Namibia being one.
Iita emphasised Namibia’s support for peaceful conflict resolution, regional stability, and collective security cooperation.
She advocated for diplomacy, dialogue, and multilateral approaches to peacebuilding.
During the meetings, she further recognised and supported the important role played by the Southern African Development Community and the African Union in conflict prevention, mediation, and the maintenance of peace and security within our region and continent.
Additionally, Iita pointed out the prioritisation of equitable access to education, healthcare, social protection, and youth empowerment while further supporting inclusive development policies that uplift vulnerable and marginalised communities and ensure that no one is left behind.
The chairperson noted that Namibia supports industrialisation, value addition, economic diversification, and deeper regional trade integration.
She called for fair trade relations and increased investment in infrastructure, innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Carbon tax
Meanwhile, IPC’s Nashinge submitted a caution to African states regarding proposals linked to carbon taxation being advanced by our European partners at COP30 in Brazil last year.
The MP explored the topic, noting that while cooperation and the strengthening of agricultural value chains across the two continents are welcomed, Africa must approach carbon taxation frameworks with great vigilance.
“We are not the architects of the carbon crisis. The historical emissions that have driven climate change were largely produced by industrialised nations over centuries of development, development that Africa was largely excluded from,” he stated.
He said it would be deeply unjust to now impose carbon tax burdens on African economies that are still striving to grow, industrialise, and lift their populations out of poverty.
“Such measures risk becoming a new form of economic conditionality punishing the continent for a problem it did not create,” he added.
He iterated the support for a genuine green transition, but on terms that are fair, equitable, and cognisant of our continent’s right to development.
Nashinge noted that Namibia’s economy would be impacted.
“In a Namibian economic context, such as our beef, fish, or mining export sectors, which would be directly impacted by the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism.
These and more hot topics will be discussed at the 1st Africa–EU Parliamentary Assembly.