WINDHOEK Government has announced the imminent State visit to Namibia of the President of Congo Denis Sassou-Nguesso. At the invitation of President Hifikepunye Pohamba, President Sassou-Nguesso will pay a State visit to Namibia from next week Tuesday July 17 to Thursday July 19, says a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the State visit, the two Heads of State will discuss issues related to the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries. The two Heads of State will also review existing bilateral agreements as well consider new areas of cooperation. During his visit, President Sassou-Nguesso is expected to undertake site visits to the Salt Company at Swakopmund, Tunacor Fish Factory at Walvis Bay, Lev Leviev Diamond Company and Meatco in Windhoek. Bilateral relations between Congo and Namibia date back to the years of the struggle for Namibia’s independence, when that country assisted SWAPO in its quest for total emancipation and freedom from colonial oppression, says the statement. The Congolese Government provided land and established a Technical Secondary School at Loudima, where many exiled young Namibians received education and training, the bulk of whom have contributed to nation building, economic re-construction and the development of independent Namibia. SWAPO’s radio programme, The Voice of Namibia, which was an essential source of information and inspiration to Namibians, was broadcast from Congo. Furthermore, it was in the city of Brazzaville where the Quadri-partite Agreements were signed in 1988, finally launching the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 435 that culminated in the independence of our country. The Government of Congo established diplomatic relations with Namibia and opened an Embassy in Windhoek barely a month after the attainment of Namibia’s independence in 1990. Dr Sam Nujoma, Founding President of Namibia, visited Congo in 1991. His visit was reciprocated by the then president of Congo, Pascal Lissouba, to Namibia that same year. President Hifikepunye Pohamba, at the invitation of his counterpart Sassou-Nguesso, paid a State visit to the Congo from October 23 to 25, 2006. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the statement invites all the alumni of the Loudima Secondary Technical School to join in the official welcoming of President Sassou-Nguesso at Hosea Kutako International Airport on July 17, 2007.