Nandi-Ndaitwah urges farmers to comply with Angolan laws
• Minister lauds neighbour’s goodwill
The goodwill shown by the Angolan government does not mean the activities of Namibian farmers should be in contravention of that country's laws, she said.
International relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibian farmers should comply with Angolan laws if they want their animals to continue grazing in the neighbouring country.
She made the remarks at a meeting attended by representatives of the Angolan and Namibian governments and cattle farmers at Helao Nafidi on Friday.
The goodwill shown by the Angolan government does not mean the activities of Namibian farmers - or of any Namibian national, for that matter - should be in contravention of that country’s laws, she said.
She added that the two countries signed a joint agreement on 9 October 2023 to engage Namibian farmers in the Ohangwena Region on the importance of peaceful co-existence with their neighbours in Angola’s Cunene province.
‘Excellent bilateral relations’
Nandi-Ndaitwah stressed Namibia’s gratitude to the Angolan government for allowing Namibian farmers to graze their cattle on Angolan territory due to severe drought and the lack of available grazing area in the northern regions of Namibia.
“As we know, climate change does not respect borders. However, we do not take the goodwill shown by the fraternal people and government of Angola for granted. This goodwill is also a clear demonstration of the longstanding, strong bonds of friendship, solidarity and supreme sacrifice which continue to happily characterise the warm and excellent bilateral relations between our two countries and peoples.”
She added that Namibia fully subscribes to the sacred principle of respect for the territorial integrity of other states, and does not condone the behaviour of Namibians who do not comply with Angola’s laws.
“Angola has the right to enforce its laws against anyone who does not comply with its laws. The prevailing cross-border issues of mutual concern and interest highlight the need to operationalise bilateral instruments and agreements on border-related matters between the two countries, which should include the activation of a governors’ forum and a joint technical committee,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
Angola’s minister of external relations Téte António assured Namibians that Angola is open to all, but echoed Nandi-Ndaitwah’s sentiments when he emphasised the importance of observing his country’s laws.
She made the remarks at a meeting attended by representatives of the Angolan and Namibian governments and cattle farmers at Helao Nafidi on Friday.
The goodwill shown by the Angolan government does not mean the activities of Namibian farmers - or of any Namibian national, for that matter - should be in contravention of that country’s laws, she said.
She added that the two countries signed a joint agreement on 9 October 2023 to engage Namibian farmers in the Ohangwena Region on the importance of peaceful co-existence with their neighbours in Angola’s Cunene province.
‘Excellent bilateral relations’
Nandi-Ndaitwah stressed Namibia’s gratitude to the Angolan government for allowing Namibian farmers to graze their cattle on Angolan territory due to severe drought and the lack of available grazing area in the northern regions of Namibia.
“As we know, climate change does not respect borders. However, we do not take the goodwill shown by the fraternal people and government of Angola for granted. This goodwill is also a clear demonstration of the longstanding, strong bonds of friendship, solidarity and supreme sacrifice which continue to happily characterise the warm and excellent bilateral relations between our two countries and peoples.”
She added that Namibia fully subscribes to the sacred principle of respect for the territorial integrity of other states, and does not condone the behaviour of Namibians who do not comply with Angola’s laws.
“Angola has the right to enforce its laws against anyone who does not comply with its laws. The prevailing cross-border issues of mutual concern and interest highlight the need to operationalise bilateral instruments and agreements on border-related matters between the two countries, which should include the activation of a governors’ forum and a joint technical committee,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
Angola’s minister of external relations Téte António assured Namibians that Angola is open to all, but echoed Nandi-Ndaitwah’s sentiments when he emphasised the importance of observing his country’s laws.
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