Deputy Prime Minister and international relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has expressed concerns about the global geopolitical situation, which she says has been characterised by increased wars and conflicts.
Nandi-Ndaitwah was speaking during the Annual Briefing for Diplomatic Corps on Friday, 10 February 2023, which was held at the Old Cabinet Chamber in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the current state of affairs is contrary to commitments made in the Charter of the United Nations for Member States to settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace, security and justice are not endangered.
“Therefore, Namibia strongly believes in the principle of settling international or regional disputes by peaceful means as enshrined in our constitution – and we will continue to advocate for that,” the deputy PM stated.
She continued, “I hope that solutions will soon be found in addressing worldwide conflicts and wars, including the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. We are convinced that solutions should be sought through dialogue, in conformity with international law and with full respect for the Charter of the United Nations”.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said as a member of the AU Peace and Security Council, Namibia is also deeply concerned about the political and security situations in the Sahel, increasingly plagued by acts of terrorism and violent extremism as well as instability.
“Namibia expresses hope that the respective processes of the transition underway in Sudan, Mali, Chad, Guinea and Burkina Faso will take place, guided by the will of the people to bring about good governance and the rule of law in those countries,” she added.
Moreover, Nandi-Ndaitwah commended Ethiopia and the Tigrayan leadership brokered a peace deal that was reached through dialogue on 2 November 2022.
“Indeed, finding African solutions to African problems is the key to ensuring lasting peace and sustainability, and to permanently silencing the guns on the continent. The AU has established a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the agreement, supported by a committee consisting of IGAD (The Intergovernmental Authority on Development) and the AU,” she explained.
The minister added Namibia believes in the freedom and independence of people to determine their affairs.
“This is close to our hearts because we fought for our freedom and independence and would like to see oppressed people around the world gaining their freedom and independence. It is for this reason that Namibia will continue to stand with the peoples of Palestine and Western Sahara in their genuine quest to exercise their inalienable rights to self-determination,” she reaffirmed.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia continues to uphold the principle of peaceful co-existence of nations, fair and open trade among countries as well as a spirit of good neighbourliness.
“In this context, we continue to call for the unconditional lifting of the economic embargo imposed on the people of Cuba by the United States as well as the lifting of sanctions against the peoples of Venezuela and Zimbabwe. These measures are counter-productive to the promise in the preamble of the UN Charter ‘to promote social progress and a better standard of life in larger freedom’,” she said.
The minister also called for a peaceful and secure world for trade and investment.
- ljason@nepc.com.na