Africa-Press – Angola. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of Namibia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, reaffirmed this Friday, in the province of Cunene, her Government’s position in condemning the behavior of Namibian farmers who occupied land illegally in Angolan territory.
Official data from the Angolan Government points to the existence of 3,750 Namibian farmers, who more than 15 years ago illegally appropriated pasture areas in the town of Etale Lomolova, in the east of the municipalities of Namacunde and Cuanhama, Cunene province.
Under the pretext of practicing transhumance, cattle breeders set up farms and residences, as well as fenced off several spaces with more than 11,141 animals, distributed in 123 corrals.
Speaking at a bilateral meeting between the two governments, Nandi-Ndaitwah said they are talking to Namibian farmers to respect Angola’s laws and regulations, as well as the sovereignty of both countries.
“The position of the Government of Namibia is clear, it does not support the behavior of any citizen who does not comply with the regulations of the Republic of Angola and has the right to apply its laws, as dictated by international standards”, he maintained.
He justified that farmers resort to pasture in Angolan territory due to the situation of cyclical drought that afflicts the northern region of Namibia, as a result of climate change, but that it must be done within standards.
“Angola’s goodwill does not imply that our fellow citizens should behave in any way, just as we should not abuse the goodwill of local communities and the Government of Angola,” he stressed.
He lamented the fact that some farmers practice illegal hunting, the use of firearms, the theft of animals from local breeders, as well as aiding illegal immigration, among other acts that undermine good coexistence.
Along these lines, he advised farmers to, by October of this year, legalize themselves with the diplomatic and consular services, to ensure a healthy stay in the region.
He argued that the ancient ties of friendship, solidarity and sacrifice that characterize bilateral relations between the two peoples are excellent, hence the need to maintain respect for the territorial integrity and laws in force in this State.
The minister stressed that only with mutual respect and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity will the two countries be able to coexist peacefully as good neighbors.
He said that the issue of border violations is an evil that affects both countries, a fact that requires the reactivation of the governors’ forum, assisted by the respective technical committees, to allow dealing with daily issues that occur on the common border.
The meeting between the parties included several technical meetings of experts from both countries, in the province of Cunene, and a meeting with farmers from the Owangwena region (Namibia).
The province of Cunene shares 460 kilometers of border with the Republic of Namibia, 340 of which are land and 120 are river.
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