UK ban targets Namibian VIPs
Threats for full travel ban
British home secretary Shabana Mahmood has warned that the United Kingdom may suspend or restrict visas for Namibian citizens - including government officials, business leaders and other VIP travellers - unless Namibia steps up cooperation in accepting the return of failed asylum seekers.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mahmood said that countries that “do not play ball” will face “penalties,” bluntly telling Namibia to “take back your people or ... lose the privilege of entering our country.”
Mahmood indicated that the sanctions could begin with restrictions on priority and diplomatic visa categories, which would directly affect ministers, senior civil servants and other high-profile Namibians who frequently travel to Britain for official business, conferences or medical treatment.
Her warning suggests that even elite travellers, typically shielded from visa fallout, could be swept into the looming crackdown.
This threat is part of what Mahmood describes as the most significant reform of Britain’s asylum system in modern times. Under the proposed changes, not only could visas for Namibians be suspended, but broader asylum rules would be overhauled. This means appeal rights would be curtailed, refugee status would become temporary and regularly reviewed, and protections under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) would be tightened, particularly around family-based claims.
Mahmood singled out Namibia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as nations that could face escalating visa restrictions if they do not improve cooperation on deportations.
She warned that the measures could start with limits on fast-track or diplomatic visas and escalate to a full travel ban. The UK government argues that the sanctions are a response to “unacceptably low cooperation” from the targeted governments in accepting the return of their nationals.
From Namibia’s perspective, the message is fraught with implications. The two countries already have a strained migration history. In July 2023, the UK introduced visa requirements for Namibian nationals — even for short visits — following a surge in asylum claims from Namibia. Former British high commissioner Charles Moore said at the time that the change was necessary to prevent abuse of the non-visa regime by Namibians seeking asylum.
Although the visa requirement reduced the number of Namibians claiming asylum, it also imposed new burdens on legitimate travellers — businesspeople, tourists and officials — who now face longer processing times and higher costs. The UK has since attempted to ease the strain by opening a dedicated visa application centre in Windhoek.
Yesterday, a UK embassy spokesperson, Lwimba Mufune, said: “The United Kingdom and the Republic of Namibia are engaged in ongoing discussions to strengthen and ensure the effectiveness of our migration partnership.”
Executive director in the ministry of international relations and trade, Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, said the government would issue a formal statement on the matter, but none had been released by the time of going to print.
For Namibia’s government, acquiescing to London’s demands risks being seen as capitulation, and could spark criticism at home. But resisting could provoke a deeper diplomatic rift, jeopardise bilateral trade and disrupt academic, cultural and official exchanges — a serious concern now that even VIP travel is under threat.
Critics of the UK’s approach warn that Mahmood’s strategy risks undermining legal protections and due process for asylum seekers, while also damaging trust between nations. Diplomats and analysts argue that coercive visa threats may worsen tensions rather than resolve them, and that dialogue and cooperation would offer a more sustainable path forward.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mahmood said that countries that “do not play ball” will face “penalties,” bluntly telling Namibia to “take back your people or ... lose the privilege of entering our country.”
Mahmood indicated that the sanctions could begin with restrictions on priority and diplomatic visa categories, which would directly affect ministers, senior civil servants and other high-profile Namibians who frequently travel to Britain for official business, conferences or medical treatment.
Her warning suggests that even elite travellers, typically shielded from visa fallout, could be swept into the looming crackdown.
This threat is part of what Mahmood describes as the most significant reform of Britain’s asylum system in modern times. Under the proposed changes, not only could visas for Namibians be suspended, but broader asylum rules would be overhauled. This means appeal rights would be curtailed, refugee status would become temporary and regularly reviewed, and protections under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) would be tightened, particularly around family-based claims.
Mahmood singled out Namibia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as nations that could face escalating visa restrictions if they do not improve cooperation on deportations.
She warned that the measures could start with limits on fast-track or diplomatic visas and escalate to a full travel ban. The UK government argues that the sanctions are a response to “unacceptably low cooperation” from the targeted governments in accepting the return of their nationals.
From Namibia’s perspective, the message is fraught with implications. The two countries already have a strained migration history. In July 2023, the UK introduced visa requirements for Namibian nationals — even for short visits — following a surge in asylum claims from Namibia. Former British high commissioner Charles Moore said at the time that the change was necessary to prevent abuse of the non-visa regime by Namibians seeking asylum.
Although the visa requirement reduced the number of Namibians claiming asylum, it also imposed new burdens on legitimate travellers — businesspeople, tourists and officials — who now face longer processing times and higher costs. The UK has since attempted to ease the strain by opening a dedicated visa application centre in Windhoek.
Yesterday, a UK embassy spokesperson, Lwimba Mufune, said: “The United Kingdom and the Republic of Namibia are engaged in ongoing discussions to strengthen and ensure the effectiveness of our migration partnership.”
Executive director in the ministry of international relations and trade, Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, said the government would issue a formal statement on the matter, but none had been released by the time of going to print.
For Namibia’s government, acquiescing to London’s demands risks being seen as capitulation, and could spark criticism at home. But resisting could provoke a deeper diplomatic rift, jeopardise bilateral trade and disrupt academic, cultural and official exchanges — a serious concern now that even VIP travel is under threat.
Critics of the UK’s approach warn that Mahmood’s strategy risks undermining legal protections and due process for asylum seekers, while also damaging trust between nations. Diplomats and analysts argue that coercive visa threats may worsen tensions rather than resolve them, and that dialogue and cooperation would offer a more sustainable path forward.
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