Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA’S Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, extended her condolences to the Government and people of Finland today.
In a solemn ceremony held on October 19, 2023, she signed the Book of Condolences on behalf of the Namibian Government to express their sympathy following the passing of former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari.
Born in Viipuri, a region now part of Russia, on June 23, 1937, Ahtisaari embarked on a distinguished career as a diplomat and ambassador in the 1960s, representing Finland in various nations, including Zambia, Somalia, Tanzania, and the United Nations in New York. Later, he assumed the crucial role of the United Nations’ special representative for Namibia, entrusted with the task of guiding the nation toward independence, liberating it from the shackles of Apartheid imposed by South Africa. In 1994, he ascended to the presidency of Finland, although he opted not to seek a second term in office.
In October 2008, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his contributions to global conflict resolution and was celebrated for his three-decade-long commitment to resolving international disputes.
Ahtisaari died at the age of 86 and held a significant position in brokering peace in several nations. His diplomatic achievements include facilitating Namibia’s independence during the 1980s, orchestrating Kosovo’s liberation from Serbia in the 1990s, and championing Aceh province’s quest for freedom in Indonesia in 2005.
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