New Era’s (NE) Senior Journalist for Business and Economics, Edgar Brandt, sat down with the Ambassador at Large of the Republic of Congo in Namibia Anatole Kondho, on the closer cooperation between the two countries. Unlike an ambassador-in-residence, who is usually limited to a country or embassy, the ambassador-at-large is entrusted to operate in several usually neighbouring countries or region, or sometimes holds a seat on international organizations.
Kondho served as Ambassador to Angola from 1982 to 1991 where he liaised with the SWAPO headquarters in that country and he was the first-ever Ambassador of Congo in Namibia. He was a member of the Union of Congolese Youth and Workers Union, being a founding member and eventually Secretary General of the Sole Congolese Trade Union, as well as a founding member of the Central Committee of the Congolese Workers Party.
New Era (NE): What is the current level of trade between Namibia and Congo-Brazzaville?
Anatole Kondho (AK): “Despite the excellent relations on the political and diplomatic level between the Republic of Congo and Namibia, the level of trade between our countries remains a cause of concern. Our two governments would like to see the excellence of our political and diplomatic relations translated into commercial exchange. So, to answer your question, the current level of trade at this point is very low if not non-existent compared to what it ought to be.“
NE: What are the main products that Congo-Brazzaville could export to Namibia?
AK: “Before I answer your question, allow me to first present my country and a few of the advantages that it offers. Congo and Namibia complement each other very well. We are an equatorial country covered with rain forest whilst Namibia is a drier country with a lot of sun. Thus, timber is one of the most obvious advantages. 70 percent of Congo are covered by primary untapped forest. We also have the environment, the irrigation dispositions and the climate that not only suits herding but would allow for two harvests per year. Out of 14 million hectares of arable land exploitable only 3 percent are currently exploited.
“Our soil is also rich in minerals such as iron, phosphate, gold and even diamonds, although we don’t have as many diamonds as Namibia. Oil is our main source of income. The 87 million barrels per annum production account for over 80 percent of the country’s income. We believe that production can double once we start drilling onshore as well. We also have gas reserves estimated at 120 billion cubic meters.
“Congo’s strategic position right at the heart of the African continent makes the harbour of Pointe Noire the gateway of Central Africa and opens up to a regional market of close to 100 million people comprising of Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon and Angola.
“But, to answer your question, I believe the first product Congo can export to Namibia is a product that was the basis for our economy, timber. Although oil has become our first source of income, timber was the foundation of our economy. I understand that you buy your timber from far away outside Africa whilst Pointe Noire is just two days of sea away from Walvis Bay.”
NE: What are the main products that Namibia could export to Congo-Brazzaville?
AK: “Straight away I would say Namibia’s meat and fish. What I said about timber is also relevant for Namibia’s meat and fish. Can you believe that Congo imports its meat from South America? We have to sensitise Congolese business people that there is meat and fish available just two days away from Pointe Noire.”
NE: Is there a construction schedule yet for the Industrial and Commercial Centre to be built on the land that Congo donated to Namibia, or when is the centre expected to be developed?
AK: “Let me first begin by telling why we gave the land. Congo donated 5 hectares of land to Namibia as a show of good faith, a statement of intent of our commitment to see our long relationship turn into fruitful commercial relations. As far as the schedule is concerned, we had a duty to deliver the land on behalf of our government and our people. The land is now in the capable hands of our Namibian counterparts. I have no doubt that they are hard at work in order to deliver tangible results as soon as possible.”
NE: What are Congo-Brazzaville’s policies regarding trade within the African continent?
AK: “The Republic of Congo has never shied away from its duty towards Africa. Long before we started talking of economic integration and intra-African trade, when the struggle was for our freedom, we took our share of the burden.
“Now that the emphasis is on economic empowerment, we are just as committed as we used to be back then. At the African Union or at regional level on platforms such the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, the Economic Community of Central African States and the Organisation for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa where the Republic of Congo is a member, we advocate for a fiscal harmonisation, a common legal framework, freedom of movement of goods and persons.
“These principles are also embedded in our diplomacy. For instance, on the bilateral level with Namibia, we signed an Agreement on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investment on July 17, 2007.”
NE: What agreements have been signed to allow Air Namibia to fly to Congo-Brazzaville and vice versa for your national airline?
AK: “This is the most important point. Unless transport follows through, we will keep on just talking in vain. Do you know that Brazzaville and Windhoek are less than 3 hours away on a direct flight? Yet as things stand, in order to do that distance, you have to overnight in Johannesburg or Luanda or even as far as Nairobi.
And it costs more to fly from Brazzaville to Windhoek than flying from Windhoek to outside the continent. We are not going to succeed to do any of the things that we just mentioned earlier: promote trade, give opportunities to our people and even successfully build schools together, as we are currently rehabilitating the Vocational School in Loudima, if going from one country to the other remains an ordeal.
“On October 25, 2006, we signed an Air Service Agreement between our two countries. This agreement is compliant with the Yamoussoukro Decision that regulates the airline industry in Africa. It affords Air Namibia the 5th Freedom Traffic Rights to offer services within and beyond points from both territories. This means that Air Namibia is not only entitled to take passengers to Congo but also from Congo to any other destination. And, I dare anybody to tell me that it is not economically viable.
“Other African airlines that currently fly to Congo include South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Royal Air Morocco, Air Senegal, Air Gabon, Air Cote d’Ivoire and many others which are all flying to Congo and none of them are operating at a loss. That’s because we are a regional hub.”
NE: How would you rate the ease of doing business in Congo?
AK: “I assume you are asking as a Namibian that contemplates to go and do business in Congo? So, let me answer from that perspective.
“There should not be anything hindering you from venturing in business in the Republic of Congo or Congo-Brazzaville as you call it. First of all, the political will to see such a thing happen is there. And we have already discussed some of the evidences that point to that such as the five hectares of land. Secondly, there is a legal framework; we have also already discussed the Agreement on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investment of July 17th 2007. So you know that you are not venturing into uncharted waters. Last but not least, our Embassy here in Windhoek became closer to the Namibian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in order to have a reliable counterpart that speaks on behalf of the Namibian business community. Therefore, I invite all Namibian business people to get involved in the new dynamic. Congo-Brazzaville is an open and safe country that has a long history with Namibia. We know you and we are used to having you around. We were together then, let us now build a future together.”
By Edgar Brandt