Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on Namibia and Angola to honour the sacrifices made during Namibia’s liberation struggle by ensuring that their longstanding friendship continues to deliver lasting benefits for the people of both countries.
Speaking at the inaugural Angola–Namibia Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Luanda, she expressed gratitude for Angola’s support during the struggle for independence, recalling how the country provided refuge to Namibians and how Angolans, Namibians and Cubans lost their lives in the fight for freedom.
She identified the Cassinga Massacre of 4 May 1978 and the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale as pivotal moments in the liberation struggle, saying the shared history of sacrifice placed a responsibility on both nations to strengthen their cooperation and improve the lives of their citizens.
Photos: Namibian Presidency
Nandi-Ndaitwah described the decision taken in 2019 to elevate bilateral relations to the level of a Bi-National Commission as a strategic step towards improving coordination and expanding cooperation across political, diplomatic, economic, social, defence and security matters.
She commended the progress made through the Joint Commission of Cooperation but stressed the importance of ensuring that existing agreements and memoranda of understanding are implemented effectively.
The President also highlighted the importance of cooperation on water security, energy and border management, noting that joint initiatives could strengthen economic ties and support development in both countries.
She welcomed progress on the Angola–Namibia Interconnector Project in 2026 and commended cooperation under the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Cooperation in the Oil and Natural Gas Sector, which provides opportunities for Namibia to draw on Angola’s experience as it develops its oil and gas industry.
On regional peace and security, Nandi-Ndaitwah praised Angolan President João Lourenço for his contribution to conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Africa. She emphasised that peace remains essential for development and called for collective efforts to silence the guns across the continent.
She thanked Lourenço for his leadership in strengthening relations between the two countries and expressed hope that the commission’s deliberations would produce meaningful outcomes to deepen bilateral cooperation.
