Niël Terblanché
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of Namibia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, joined hands with her Angolan counterpart, Ambassador Teté António, Minister of External Relations, for a joint visit to the Cunene Province of Angola and the Ohangwena Region of Namibia to strengthen cooperation and goodwill and to reaffirm peaceful co-existence and fostering good neighbourliness between the two nations.
The idea stemmed from a Goodwill Meeting held on 9 October 2023 in Luanda, Angola, where both countries resolved to strengthen their diplomatic ties and address mutual concerns.
The visit addressed the situation of Namibian cattle farmers who have been grazing their cattle in Angola’s Oshimholo grazing fields and were recently notified of an impending expulsion.
Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed gratitude to Angola for allowing Namibian farmers to graze their cattle on Angolan territory due to severe drought and limited grazing areas in the northern regions of Namibia, largely resulting from climate change.
Both ministers acknowledged the Bilateral Agreement on the Movement of Goods and People signed in 1992, which allows for the free movement of people within a 60-kilometer radius along the common border.
However, the goodwill shown was accompanied by the reminder that all activities, including those of Namibian farmers in Angola, must adhere to the laws of the Republic of Angola.
The ministers called upon Namibian farmers to regularize their stay in Angola and cease illegal activities, including poaching.
The Namibian farmers present at the meeting expressed their commitment to comply with Angolan laws and thanked the Angolan government for their generosity in allowing them to graze cattle within their borders.
In addition to addressing farmer-related issues, the ministers discussed various bilateral matters, including the forthcoming Inaugural Session of the Angola-Namibia Bi-National Commission (BNC), the third Session of the Political and Diplomatic Consultations, the signing of the Bilateral Agreement on Cooperation in Trade in Bovine, Meat, and Meat Products, the commissioning of the Pumps at the Calueque Dam, and the inauguration of the Cassinga Memorial Park, among other topics.
Furthermore, the ministers reiterated their commitment to maintaining constructive dialogue within the framework of the MoU on Diplomatic Consultations between the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of Namibia and the Ministry of External Relations of the Republic of Angola.
This commitment aims to address common challenges and promote peaceful co-existence and good neighbourliness between the two countries.
Both ministers agreed to hold the Third Session of the Angola-Namibia Political and Diplomatic Consultations by 31st May 2024.
The visit strengthened the enduring friendship and cooperation between Namibia and Angola and signalled a positive step forward in resolving shared challenges and fostering harmonious relations between the two neighbouring nations.
