Windhoek

The Namibian and Malian governments have expressed satisfaction over the existing fraternal and amicable relations of solidarity between them and have avowed to further strengthen the existing bilateral ties.

The two governments stated this in a joint communiqué after President Hage Geingob concluded a one-day working visit to the West African state last weekend.

Geingob and his counterpart Ibrahim Boubacar Keita said they would work towards implementing the two agreements that established the framework of co-operation between the two states in 1998.

The agreements include the establishment of the Joint Commission of Cooperation between Mali and Namibia as well as an agreement on the cultural, scientific and technical co-operation.

During his stay, Geingob visited several socio-economic programmes in Mali.

“These visits enabled HE Geingob to appreciate advancements made by the Malian people within their developmental discourse,” reads the document.

Geingob also invited Keita for an official visit to Namibia.

The two were pleased to note that they hold common positions on several international political issues such as the fight against terrorism, peaceful resolution of conflicts, respect for aprinciples of the African Union and borders.

Namibia has over the years sent out solidarity messages to the people of Mali when they were engulfed in conflict with Islamist militants.

“I wish to reiterate Namibia’s unequivocal condemnation and rejection of any attempt to dismember the sisterly country of Mali. The sovereignty, territorial integrity and cultural heritage of Mali should be respected,” said former justice minister Utoni Nujoma in 2012 in a ministerial statement read in the National Assembly.

Soon after that the Namibian government contributed N$9 million to the African Union Commission to help fight Islamist militants in Mali.