Staff Reporter
THE long-standing Orange River boundary dispute between Namibia and South Africa remains unresolved despite renewed commitments to strengthen bilateral cooperation, with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah expressing hope that the issue will be resolved urgently to provide legal certainty for future generations.
Speaking at the closing of the Fourth Session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Pretoria, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the boundary issue remained outstanding despite the “diligent and commendable efforts” of ministers and technical officials from both countries.
“As good neighbours, guided by the principle of good faith under international law, we have engaged constructively on the matter of the Orange River boundary, and it is my sincere hope that we will, in due course, urgently find a solution to this long-standing matter between our two countries,” she said.
The President thanked South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African Government and its people for hosting the summit and reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to strengthening cooperation across diplomatic, legal, economic, social, security and defence sectors.
She added that Namibia and South Africa now have more than 150 bilateral agreements in place, including seven signed during the summit, making it Namibia’s most extensive bilateral partnership with any country.
Nandi-Ndaitwah welcomed renewed mandates issued during the summit to accelerate the implementation of several high-impact projects under the BNC.
These include completing the remaining phase of the Presidential Drought Relief Programme, advancing cooperation to strengthen regional energy security, revitalising discussions on the Kudu Gas Power Project and expanding the Trans-Kalahari Corridor, including a link to the Kazungula Bridge to improve regional integration.
The President stressed that the success of the summit would ultimately depend on implementation rather than commitments.
“It is no longer business as usual for those responsible for implementing the decisions of our Bi-National Commission. We must deliver, account for, and address the needs of our people,” she said.
She added that when the two countries meet for the Fifth Session of the BNC in 2028, she expects tangible progress on projects that address youth unemployment, economic inequality, climate vulnerability and food security.
To improve accountability, the summit directed both countries to explore the use of a Digital Balance Scorecard system to monitor implementation of BNC decisions, with technical assistance from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also urged ministers and senior officials from both countries to maintain regular communication between BNC meetings to ensure the timely implementation of agreed decisions and to respond swiftly to emerging bilateral issues.
On regional and international matters, she said Namibia and South Africa would continue coordinating their positions in support of the right to self-determination for the people of Western Sahara and Palestine, while maintaining their call for the lifting of the United States embargo against Cuba.
She added that Namibia would continue working with South Africa and other like-minded countries through multilateral institutions to promote lasting peace in conflict-affected countries, including Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The President concluded by thanking South Africa for hosting the summit and confirmed that Namibia will host the Fifth Session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission in 2028 on a date to be agreed by both countries.
Photo: Namibian Presidency
