Economic Diplomacy Interview with HON Utoni Nujoma Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Namibia

NAMIBIA Economic diplomacy INTERVIEW WITH HON UTONI NuJOMA MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF NamIBIA What are the key Objectives and Guiding Principles protocols, agreements and other legal instruments, is of Namibia’s Foreign Policy? meant to facilitate the maintenance of international Namibia’s Foreign Policy is based on, and guided peace and security. For this reason, we place emphasis by, the Principles that are enshrined in the country’s on the importance of multilateralism, which provides Constitution, primarily Article 96, which prescribes the a platform for all to be heard in order to facilitate State’s preoccupations in its international relations. At compromises and consensus on issues of international the implementation level, the country’s White Paper importance. Consensus and mutual understanding on Foreign Policy and Diplomacy Management also are vital for the maintenance on international peace guides us in our interaction with others. In this regard, and security. Unilateralism and the practice of double five foreign policy objectives have been identified: standards in international affairs is therefore, the UTONI NUJOMA • Namibia adopted and maintains a policy of non- greatest enemy of international peace, as the victims holds a LLB Degree alignment by which in a then bi-polar world the country of unilateral actions would resent any injustice that has from the University would not align itself with one side at the exclusion of the been committed against them and given an opportunity, of Warwick and a other but rather cooperates with any of the sides in as far they would take revenge; and LLN Degree in Public as the promotion and furtherance of our foreign policy e) Namibia encourages the settlement of international International Law interests are concerned. Up to this day, our cooperation disputes by peaceful means whereby we encourage from Lund University with others is not guided by our partners’ ideologies but dialogue among disputing parties in order to reach in Sweden. In exile in rather by our consideration as to whether such cooperation agreements on the way forward. Dialogue removes the 1980s he served as would serve our Foreign Policy interests or not; misunderstandings and creates fertile grounds in which Deputy Secretary General • Namibia promotes international cooperation, peace peaceful coexistence germinates. For this reason, we of the Pan African Youth and security. The promotion of international peace have been participating in United Nations, African Movement in Algiers. and security occupies a central place in our country’s Union and SADC peacekeeping operations right from On returning to Namibia Foreign Policy but this requires the cooperation the day of our Independence. We believe this is one he worked in a firm of of the international community as a whole. This is way in which we contribute to the peaceful settlement attorneys and became underpinned by our conviction that where there is of international disputes by peaceful means. The the Deputy Permanent no peace and security, no durable and sustainable use of and/or threats to use force in order to settle Secretary of the Ministry development can take place. Indeed, the converse is international disputes is flawed with shortcomings in of Justice. He served also true that the absence of development may also that the user of force must be assured of the continued in a variety of roles in provide be a prelude to political strife and insecurity; existence of such force, otherwise the recipient of the government including • Namibia strives to create and maintain just use of force will strike back one day. Chairperson of the Law and mutually beneficial relations among nations. Reform and Development Cooperation among nations is vital for the maintenance Given recent instability – particularly in North Commission and Deputy of international peace and security. However, it is Africa and the Middle East – how can global security Minister of Justice. human nature that cooperation can only flourish to be maintained and what role can regional and international organizations play in this context? He became Minister of the extent that each party derives benefits and receives Foreign Affairs in 2010. a sense of justice from the cooperative relation. It is North Africa and the Middle East are experiencing mass therefore, of vital importance that relations among political protests as citizens call for good governance nations are based on the principles of justice and and democratic participation. This precarious situation respect for one another’s sovereignty whether one is is a cause for concern because it could be emulated big or small, rich or poor and whether one is strong elsewhere and be used or even hijacked by some who militarily or not. In the absence of justice and mutual do not necessarily share democratic ideals. benefits, cooperation will suffer and the opposite of The political uprising in Tunisia, which forced the cooperation is chaos in which the proverbial “dog eats former President to flee the country into exile in Saudi dog” could be the order of the day; Arabia, has provoked similar protests in other parts of • The next objective is to foster respect for North Africa and the Middle East. international law and treaty obligations. International Namibia has been closely observing the situation 10 law that is expressed in numerous international treaties, in the Arab Republic of Egypt, the major economy in FIRST North Africa. We commend the people of Egypt for commitment of our two continents to the strategic Namibia demonstrating restraint at the height of the protests partnership which we have committed ourselves to. and thus avoiding bloodshed. We hope that the Africa and Europe are driven by a common agenda and believes that transition to democracy will be inclusive to allow an are faced with common challenges with an emphasis on outcome acceptable to different political and social continued political dialogue. We appreciate the efforts our partnership formations in that country. of the EU in assisting Africa developing the African Since the beginning of the crisis in Libya in mid- Peace and Security Architecture. should strive February 2011, Namibia is on record as having The Economic Partnership Agreement is a result recognized the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan of the various engagements between Africa and the to bridge the people and called for dialogue involving the Libyan European Union, such as the Cotonou Agreement government and peaceful protestors. and the joint Africa-EU Strategy, which is tasked with development Consistent with the African Union Peace and Security the responsibility of taking the relationship to a new Council decision referred to above, the government of strategic level with a strengthened political partnership divide between Namibia rejects and condemns the Western military attacks and enhanced cooperation at all levels. against Libya, and calls for such attacks to stop immediately. Namibia believes that our partnership should strive Africa and Furthermore, Namibia reaffirms its full support for the to bridge the development divide between Africa AU Peace and Security Council ad hoc Committee of and Europe through the strengthening of economic Europe Heads of State and Government to carry out its mandate cooperation and the promotion of sustainable of facilitating dialogue between Libyan parties to find a development in both continents. In this regard I would peaceful negotiated solution to the political crisis. like to stress the importance of the fair treatment of Namibia is strongly committed to multilateral exports to the EU. I am pleased that recent negotiations diplomacy, with the UN playing the central role in discussed unresolved issues, and I am positive that we dealing with global challenges and threats to international will achieve a full and comprehensive EPA. peace and security. We do not believe that the UN was established for the purpose of waging or sanctioning the What role can the Commonwealth play in waging of war but rather for making peace where there is promoting trade and diplomatic relations? What conflict. To this end, we reaffirm the imperative need for a are your hopes for CHOGM in Perth later this year? comprehensive reform of the UN, especially the Security The role of the Commonwealth in promoting trade Council, with a view to making it more representative, and diplomatic relations can be traced to its founding effective, democratic and accountable. statement which clearly outlines the Commonwealth as an association of sovereign nations that support each How are Namibia’s relations with Europe other and work together towards international goals. developing? How important is Europe, as a bloc, Commonwealth countries share common heritage and individual European countries as diplomatic in language, cultural law, education and democratic and trading partners? traditions, amongst others. Namibia’s political and economic linkages with Since its evolution 60yrs ago, and with a Membership individual European countries as well as the European of 53 countries, the Commonwealth continues to play Union play a major role in our foreign policy. We a significant role in the international political and consider the EU as one of our important partners and economic architecture through consultations and attach great importance to strong and durable relations cooperation in the common interest of their peoples with the EU countries. Many of Namibia’s traditional and the promotion of international understanding allies and friends are found among the nations of through dialogue and cooperation. Central and Eastern Europe. Relations between For example, at the annual Commonwealth Foreign Namibia and Germany are of a special character Ministers Meeting that was held on the margins of the and, indeed multi-faceted due to historical reasons. 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Interaction with many of these influential European in New York, Ministers had an opportunity to discuss states provides Namibia with important inputs for and consult on important global issues relating to development and economic growth.

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