Diplomats want tighter security
In the aftermath of several attacks on diplomats in the country in recent years, the international community feels that government should revisit the security measures for diplomats serving in Namibia.
Anastas Kaboba Kasongo Wa-Kimba, the ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who is also the dean of the local diplomatic corps, has asked for increased security for diplomats.
She made the plea on Friday during the annual diplomatic briefing in Windhoek, where diplomats engaged with Namibia's deputy prime minister and international relations and cooperation minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Wa-Kimba believes that, while security in Namibia is tight, it could be better.
"We appreciate the security but want to highlight that some issues occurred, so I want to call on the police to increase the protection of the diplomats to avoid more crimes against diplomats in Namibia," he said.
Affected by crime
Wa-Kimba was referring to several criminal incidents against diplomats that happened in recent years.
During November 2022, three suspects were arrested in Windhoek in connection with the theft of a cellphone belonging to Bulgarian diplomat Pailova Kaymatechieva.
In 2017, a gang of three burglars attacked a guard posted at a senior Indian diplomat’s residence in Ludwigsdorf in an attempt to rob the residence, but the guard fought off the intruders, who fled before police arrived at the scene.
A year before that, a Norwegian diplomat based in Cairo was violently attacked and mugged in Swakopmund. Merete Dyrud, who was the deputy head of mission of the Norwegian embassy in Egypt at the time, was seriously injured, police reports indicated at the time.
Partnerships important
Nandi-Ndaitwah on Friday said Namibia's main priority is to continue strengthening multilateral partnerships.
"Through these visits and our daily interactions with other states and international organisations, we have the possibility of strengthening our bilateral cooperation to address specific challenges facing our countries and the globe," she said.
She said she believes that multilateralism should serve its useful purpose of maintaining international peace and security.
"In performing our national responsibilities, and for Namibia to remain relevant globally as per the Harambee Prosperity Plan II, Namibia also holds the position of first vice-president of the assembly of the International Maritime Organisation," the deputy prime minister said.
Invest in Education
Education in Namibia was off to a rocky start this year, as exam results, flash floods and rain put the government's infrastructure under a microscope.
"Our government will continue to invest much of our national budget in education while developing strategies to ensure that the output matches the input," Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
"We all know that education has a chain of positive effects. Education is the key; it is an enabler to create employment, increase earnings, improve health, and eradicate poverty, among others," she added.
She called on the diplomats to continue their partnership with Namibia, especially around education.
"We invite you to further partner with our government to address the shortcomings as we seek to alleviate poverty through education and raise the standard of living of the Namibian people."
Anastas Kaboba Kasongo Wa-Kimba, the ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who is also the dean of the local diplomatic corps, has asked for increased security for diplomats.
She made the plea on Friday during the annual diplomatic briefing in Windhoek, where diplomats engaged with Namibia's deputy prime minister and international relations and cooperation minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Wa-Kimba believes that, while security in Namibia is tight, it could be better.
"We appreciate the security but want to highlight that some issues occurred, so I want to call on the police to increase the protection of the diplomats to avoid more crimes against diplomats in Namibia," he said.
Affected by crime
Wa-Kimba was referring to several criminal incidents against diplomats that happened in recent years.
During November 2022, three suspects were arrested in Windhoek in connection with the theft of a cellphone belonging to Bulgarian diplomat Pailova Kaymatechieva.
In 2017, a gang of three burglars attacked a guard posted at a senior Indian diplomat’s residence in Ludwigsdorf in an attempt to rob the residence, but the guard fought off the intruders, who fled before police arrived at the scene.
A year before that, a Norwegian diplomat based in Cairo was violently attacked and mugged in Swakopmund. Merete Dyrud, who was the deputy head of mission of the Norwegian embassy in Egypt at the time, was seriously injured, police reports indicated at the time.
Partnerships important
Nandi-Ndaitwah on Friday said Namibia's main priority is to continue strengthening multilateral partnerships.
"Through these visits and our daily interactions with other states and international organisations, we have the possibility of strengthening our bilateral cooperation to address specific challenges facing our countries and the globe," she said.
She said she believes that multilateralism should serve its useful purpose of maintaining international peace and security.
"In performing our national responsibilities, and for Namibia to remain relevant globally as per the Harambee Prosperity Plan II, Namibia also holds the position of first vice-president of the assembly of the International Maritime Organisation," the deputy prime minister said.
Invest in Education
Education in Namibia was off to a rocky start this year, as exam results, flash floods and rain put the government's infrastructure under a microscope.
"Our government will continue to invest much of our national budget in education while developing strategies to ensure that the output matches the input," Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
"We all know that education has a chain of positive effects. Education is the key; it is an enabler to create employment, increase earnings, improve health, and eradicate poverty, among others," she added.
She called on the diplomats to continue their partnership with Namibia, especially around education.
"We invite you to further partner with our government to address the shortcomings as we seek to alleviate poverty through education and raise the standard of living of the Namibian people."
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