Namibia has strongly condemned the recent military strikes against Iran by the United States and Israel. Last week, Namibia’s international relations and trade minister also warned that the attacks represent a blatant violation of international law and a dangerous erosion of the global rules-based order.
Speaking during a media engagement last week, Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi said the conflict surrounding Iran highlights the urgent need for the world to recommit to diplomacy and multilateral cooperation rather than unilateral military action.
Her remarks come amid rising geopolitical tensions following coordinated attacks by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets. Moreover, Ashipala-Musavyi did not mince words in her assessment of the situation in the Middle East. “The attacks on Iran constitute a blatant violation of international law and a clear violation of the United Nations Charter,” the minister said.
Ashipala-Musavyi said the military action disregards Iran’s sovereignty and weakens the multilateral system that smaller countries depend on for protection and stability.
As the Iran conflict intensifies, Namibia continues to position itself as a vocal defender of international law and multilateral cooperation.
The war involving Iran, combined with rising trade tensions and geopolitical competition for resources, is reshaping the global landscape. For Namibia, the message from its top diplomat is that diplomacy, cooperation and economic self-reliance must guide Africa’s response to an increasingly volatile world.
However, despite condemning the strikes, Namibia is not considering retaliatory measures or punitive diplomacy against countries that violate international law. Instead, Ashipala-Musavyi emphasised that Namibia’s foreign policy remains firmly rooted in peaceful conflict resolution and dialogue.
Namibia’s diplomatic approach, she said, prioritises mediation, negotiation and international cooperation rather than sanctions or confrontational responses.
“Namibia’s international relations strategy continues to hinge on our foreign policy, which calls for the peaceful resolution of any conflict,” she said.
The minister further stressed that the current geopolitical climate, marked by rising tensions between major powers and a growing number of armed conflicts, makes it more important than ever to defend the principles of international law.
“It is time to intensify the call for international order that is crucial to benefit all countries and the world at large,” Ashipala-Musavyi said. She added that Africa must play a stronger role in defending the global system. “Africa must intensify its voice for the world to return to solidarity and mutual respect.”
Economic impact
Beyond the security implications, the escalating conflict involving Iran is already beginning to ripple through the global economy. Analysts warn that the war risks pushing up oil prices, disrupting shipping routes and intensifying geopolitical rivalries over strategic resources. At the same time, the global trading system is facing additional strain from unpredictable tariffs imposed by the administration of US president Donald Trump.
According to Ashipala-Musavyi, these tariffs are not merely economic measures but form part of a broader geopolitical strategy. “The tariffs imposed by the Trump regime are an extension of a geopolitical strategy that essentially boils down to resource access,” she said.
The minister noted that the intensifying competition among global powers for access to minerals, energy and other strategic commodities is increasingly centred on Africa. Against this backdrop, Ashipala-Musavyi argued that Africa must rethink its position in the global economy.
For decades, many African countries have exported raw materials while importing finished goods, which is an economic model that has limited industrial development across the continent. Meanwhile, the growing scramble for Africa’s mineral wealth, the minister said, must instead translate into industrialisation and local value addition.
“It is high time that Africa consumes what it produces,” Ashipala-Musavyi said.
Namibia, like many resource-rich African countries, exports significant quantities of minerals to global markets. China remains one of Namibia’s most important trading partners, with approximately 95% of Namibia’s exports to the Asian giant consisting of mineral products.
However, Namibia is seeking to deepen and rebalance that relationship. Ashipala-Musavyi revealed that Namibia is finalising a bilateral agreement that will significantly expand market access to China.
Once the agreement is concluded, Namibia will enjoy 100% duty-free access to the Chinese market from 1 May this year. The deal with China is expected to create new opportunities for Namibian exporters, although the government has repeatedly emphasised that it wants to move beyond simply exporting raw minerals.
Instead, Namibia hopes to develop domestic processing industries that can add value before products are exported.
At the same time, Namibia is strengthening cooperation with emerging economic partners in the Global South. One of the most promising areas of collaboration is with Brazil, particularly in the fast-growing oil and gas sector. The two countries have been deepening engagement as Namibia’s offshore petroleum discoveries attract increasing international interest.
According to Ashipala-Musavyi, Namibia will host Brazil’s foreign minister next week to further expand cooperation between the two countries. The discussions are expected to focus on energy development, investment and broader economic collaboration.