Staff Reporter
ALBERT Kawana, the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, has stated that the Namibian government will engage in diplomatic talks with the Angolan government after it announced its decision to evict hundreds of Namibian cattle farmers from the grazing fields of Oshimholo in the southern Cunene Province. It is estimated that Namibian livestock farmers have approximately 400 cattle posts or “farms” in Oshimholo and the surrounding areas.
The Informanté this week reported that the Angolan authorities said they tolerated the illegal entry of Namibian farmers due to solidarity and the fraternal bond between the two nations, but the situation has now gone out of control and can no longer be tolerated.
Responding to questions in Parliament on the rising tensions at the Northern border, Kawana said that, in accordance with Article 96 of the Namibian constitution, Namibia seeks to live in peace and harmony with all its neighbouring countries. “We have a special relationship with Angola. Regarding the alleged issue, this can be resolved through diplomatic channels. We are aware that a number of citizens graze in Angola. There was an agreement regarding their grazing there. This issue will be handled diplomatically. It concerns cattle and grazing, and the Ministry of Agriculture will be the ideal ministry, as well as the Ministry of International Relations being the appropriate authorities. I can confirm that following my appointment, I had an opportunity to visit the borders to assess the security situation, and I can confirm that there are some Namibians along the border. Colonial borders cut people in between… There is no need for us to pick a fight with Angola. The policy of the Namibian government adheres to peace and stability, followed by development,” Kawana said.
Many of the Namibian farmers took their herds to the southern Cunene and Cuando Cubango provinces of Angola after they were ejected from Kavango West 18 years ago. The Angolan provincial authorities held a series of meetings where the affected Namibian farmers were informed, in no uncertain terms, that their illegal stay is no longer acceptable.
Speaking during the latest meeting, Cunene Governor Gerdina Ulipamwe Didalelwa made a litany of accusations against the Namibian farmers who, according to her, entered Angola illegally; fenced off large tracts of land and even erected permanent structures. She also said that Namibian farmers are generally arrogant and look down on the Angolan authorities. They are also involved in illegal hunting, according to Didalelwa.
“You are here illegally, and this is going to change. What remains is not whether you will stay here, but rather when you will leave. You will definitely leave. I am now going back to Ondjiva, the provincial capital, where we will look at modalities and the length of the period that you might need to pack up and go,” said Didalelwa, who spoke in a gentle voice but with signs of subdued anger.
However, everything is not lost. Didalelwa said that Namibian farmers can still graze their herds in Oshimholo provided they go through the proper procedures, but only seasonally as was in the past, not permanently as they are doing now.
Leave a Reply