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Trump hits Namibia with 21% trade tariffs

Trump hits Namibia with 21% trade tariffs

CHAMWE KAIRA  The United States has imposed a 21% import tariff on Namibian goods, a move expected to affect key exports such as diamonds, uranium, fish, and beef.  U.S. President Donald Trump, in his announcement, cited the long-term decline in U.S. manufacturing as justification. “From 1997 to 2024, the United States lost around five million manufacturing jobs and experienced one of the largest drops in manufacturing employment in history,” he said. Namibia joins a list of African countries now facing higher tariffs on exports to the U.S. These include Lesotho at 50%, Madagascar 47%, Mauritius 40%, Botswana 37%, South Africa…
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Northern regions face widespread power outages

Northern regions face widespread power outages

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Namibia’s northern regions are experiencing widespread power outages, with residents in parts of the Omusati and Oshikoto regions reporting prolonged blackouts that have disrupted daily life and essential services. The entire Onemanya area, along with neighbouring villages such as Uukuvu, Ilambo, and Onadjila, has been without electricity since Wednesday. The outage has affected households, small businesses, and schools, with many residents raising concerns over the lack of communication and response. Getrud Simeon from Onemanya village said the continued blackout was causing mounting frustration. "The power is still off, and it’s becoming frustrating. We depend on electricity for everything.…
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Are these just early  signs of early days?

Are these just early  signs of early days?

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Is it early days? Yours Truly, Ideologically, I cannot but ask but at the same time also answer that it is by no means early days. Simply because for someone determined that it is “business unusual”, it cannot be early days at all. Since the message has been loud and clear, the media seem to be having a field day with the new administration “hitting the ground running” in their respective spaces. What does the new administration mean by "hitting the ground running"? One may be prompted to ask. Given that the president has only had three months…
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Namibia policy of reciprocity on visa; A tit for tat or the Vienna convention on diplomatic and consular relations

Namibia policy of reciprocity on visa; A tit for tat or the Vienna convention on diplomatic and consular relations

PAUL T. SHIPALE I. Prologue: A tit for tat From April 1, 2025, Namibia started to implement a reciprocal visa policy, requiring nationals from 32 countries, including the US, UK, and Canada, to obtain a visa for entry, as these countries haven’t reciprocated visa-free access for Namibian citizens. In this regard, a statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security on Thursday, 27 March 2025, indicated that since the launch of the e-visa on arrival portal and the visa on arrival application form on 3 March 2025, a total of 10 016 visa applications have been successfully…
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Gibeon CEO defends staff terminations

Gibeon CEO defends staff terminations

Allexer Namundjembo The acting chief executive officer of the Gibeon Village Council (GVC), Pederius Tjihireko, defended the recent termination of staff contracts, saying the decisions were made in line with internal procedures and legal frameworks. Two employees, a debtors’ clerk and an administrative staff member, had their contracts terminated earlier this week. Their departures have raised questions among residents and community activists about what may be causing the wave of staff exits. Tjihireko said the terminations followed provisions set out in the Labour Act and the Local Authorities Act. “Any affected individuals who feel the termination was unjust have the…
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Experts warn that IPC risks a weak parliamentary focus

Experts warn that IPC risks a weak parliamentary focus

Allexer Namundjembo Political analysts have raised concerns about the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC)’s decision not to designate a leader of the official opposition in Parliament. The analysts warned that the move may weaken the party’s coordination and effectiveness in the National Assembly. Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the absence of a clear leader in Parliament could leave IPC Members of Parliament without guidance. “The party leader usually helps set the direction, and without that leadership, MPs may struggle to stay united or focused on the party's goals. They could also feel lost or unsure about how to act in…
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Governors hoping for diplomatic posts

Governors hoping for diplomatic posts

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Some regional governors are reportedly eyeing diplomatic posts as their terms of office are nearing an end. While no official announcements have been made, sources indicate that these governors, whose terms were extended until 20 June, are lobbying for ambassadorial appointments. The governors are said to be leveraging their political and regional leadership experience in lobbying for postings abroad. Diplomatic appointments are usually timed with the international school calendar, starting in August or September, to allow diplomats with school-going children to secure placements. About 25 diplomatic positions are expected to be filled, with new appointees serving five-year terms.…
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Ashipala-Musavyi charts future path for foreign relations and trade integration

Ashipala-Musavyi charts future path for foreign relations and trade integration

Niël Terblanché The minister of international relations and trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, has set out her vision for the ministry’s expanded role, calling on staff to embrace the integration of trade and diplomacy as a strategic tool to reposition the country on the African continent and globally. Speaking during a general staff meeting in Windhoek on Wednesday, Ashipala-Musavyi acknowledged the trust placed in her by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and expressed her gratitude to her predecessors, including Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, Namibia’s first Foreign Minister, and former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, President Nandi-Ndaitwah herself. “It is a responsibility that I have…
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IGP pursues contempt charges against Amushelelo

IGP pursues contempt charges against Amushelelo

Niël Terblanché The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, has initiated court proceedings against political activist Michael Amushelelo for alleged contempt of court. This action follows Amushelelo's recent social media posts concerning rape allegations against the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Mac Hengari. In a statement posted on social media, Amushelelo questioned the consistency of public demands for accountability. "As a society, it will be very hypocritical of all of you to demand that [redacted] resigns from his position as Member of Parliament and Minister when we equally have Joseph Shikongo, who is…
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Interim leadership for paralympic committee, boxing federation appointed

Interim leadership for paralympic committee, boxing federation appointed

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia Sport Commission’s (NSC) Chief Administrator, Freddy Mwiya, has announced the appointment of an interim board for the Namibia National Paralympic Committee (NNPC).  The new board will oversee the committee's affairs for three months and organise an elective congress. Mwiya announced this on Thursday following the expiry of the previous board's term. Last month, the Ministry of Sport froze NNPC’s funding due to irregularities that both Mwiya and the NNPC declined to disclose. On Thursday, Mwiya confirmed that the funding restrictions have now been lifted to allow access to critical resources for sports development. “We put emphasis on…
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