Country, Mozambique Strengthen Ties

Magreth Nunuhe

20 May 2011

Windhoek — Namibia is ready to exchange experiences and expertise with Mozambique in important sectors such as trade, fisheries, tourism, civil aviation, telecommunications and agriculture.

President Hifikepunye Pohamba said this when he welcomed the President of Mozambique, Armando Emilio Guebuza, who is on a four-day visit to Namibia.

Government ministers, senior officials and high commissioners of both countries attended official talks at State House on Wednesday, where Pohamba singled out agriculture as one of the most substantial contributors to the economies of both countries.

He said while progress has been made in fisheries, there is still potential for greater cooperation, praising the Mozambican government for its significant economic growth and efforts to consolidate democratic governance.

Pohamba said Namibia is ready to strengthen cooperation in areas of governance and management of state-owned enterprises, such as the State Owned Enterprises Governance Council in Namibia and the Institution for the Management of State Holdings in Mozambique.

He stressed the need to restore the current political situation in Madagascar, commending Joaquim Chissano, the former Mozambican president, for the role he has been playing in seeking a peaceful solution in that country.

“We are equally concerned about the political situation in some parts of the continent, especially in North Africa,” said Pohamba, emphasizing the need to respond to “these events in order to prevent unnecessary suffering of innocent civilians and destruction of infrastructure.”

The Namibian leader addressed adverse climatic conditions, including floods, droughts and rising sea levels that have severely affected both countries and called for the strengthening of SADC Early Warning System to mitigate the effects of natural disasters.

On his part, the Mozambican President expressed solidarity with the flood victims in Namibia and said that they have been going through the same thing for a long time and understand the situation Namibia faces.

Guebuza congratulated Pohamba on his leadership and what the country has achieved in terms of the economy. He added that the Mozambican national agenda was to fight poverty.

“We are here in Namibia in terms of our relations because we can learn from you as friends and brothers with the same objective,” he said. He added that Mozambique wants to learn from mistakes of others who achieved independence before them.

He said Sub-Saharan Africa could not just live on the basis of discussions; they need to find ways to strengthen relationships in the economy, investment, create and share wealth in a just way.

“Mozambique is here to work with you to find ways of cementing and enhancing economic cooperation,” he concluded.

The two leaders reminisced over their shared liberation history as reasons for greater cooperation. Namibia and Mozambique also signed bilateral agreements, including exemptions of visa requirements, and diplomatic and political consultations.

Yesterday, the Mozambican president and his delegation visited the Heroes Acre, Hangana Sea Food in Walvis Bay and toured Namdeb in Oranjemund. Today, he is expected to visit Tulipamwe Shoes Project at Goreangab Dam and would also join the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extra-Ordinary Summit. He leaves Namibia tomorrow.

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