Staff Reporter
NAMIBIAN livestock farmers who were recently given permission to continue grazing their animals in Angola were today informed that they are prohibited from going beyond 60 kilometres from the common border. Those who have cattle posts farther than the stipulated distance are ordered to relocate as soon as possible.
This announcement was made during a meeting at Eenhana today, practically turning into gloom the joy that existed since 12 January when International Relations Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and her Angolan counterpart Tete Antonio announced that the status quo of Namibian farmers who graze in Angola remains unchanged, provided they abide by the laws and follow the correct procedures when entering and exiting Angola.
The Angolan authorities had earlier threatened to expel the Namibian farmers, accusing them of illegal entry and failure to respect Angolan laws. The expulsion was rescinded when the two ministers intervened. Many Namibian farmers have cattle posts located about 400 km inside Angola.
The more than 1,000 farmers who attended today’s meeting at Eenhana were informed that they are now only allowed to graze within 60 km from the border. All the farmers are requested to register with the Angolan authorities at registration offices in Luanda and Ondjiva or report themselves to local traditional authorities. They are expected to abide by Angolan laws and stay away from protected nature conservation areas.
