Diplomatic Briefing
Your exclusive news aggregator handpicked daily!Archive for Namibia
Newsline: China’s ambassador to Namibia pledges to avail any successful vaccine against COVID-19 to developing countries
China has pledged to avail any successful COVID-19 vaccine to Namibia and other developing countries, a Chinese envoy said on Thursday. According to Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhang Yiming, Namibia and other developing countries are likely to be considered a priority should China successfully develop a vaccine against the coronavirus. “We are racing with the time to develop the effective vaccine, it is the first priority not only for China but all the countries in the world to find this vaccine to save more lives. Once the deployment and development of the vaccine in China is completed, we pledge to make it available to Namibia,” Zhang said. (http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/21/c_139075595.htm) China is carrying out research and development of five potential vaccines to cope with COVID-19.
Newsline: Chinese embassy in Namibia distances self from ‘rotten’ nationals
The Chinese embassy in Namibia has distanced its operations and relations from what its chargé d’affaires Li Nan called the ‘rotten’ Chinese, following dozens of poaching cases and other illegal activities involving Chinese nationals. Several Chinese were also arrested in arguably the biggest financial scandal ever reported in Namibia, involving N$3.5 billion that the government allegedly lost in tax evasion and money laundering, among others counts in the matter. Some Namibians were also arrested in connection with the case. “China will never give unprincipled protection to Chinese national suspects if they are treated according to the law,” he said. He said Chinese nationals that are involved in illegal activities do not represent the local Chinese community and embassy, and certainly not the People’s Republic of China.
https://www.newera.com.na/2017/03/06/chinese-embassy-distances-self-from-rotten-nationals/
Newsline: Nigerian Diplomat in Namibia Denies Extrajudicial Killings
The Nigerian High Commissioner to Namibia, Biodun Olorunfemi, denied allegations by Amnesty International that the Nigerian military is committing extrajudicial killing of civilians in its troubled northern region and demanded an independent, impartial investigation into a video showing soldiers slaughtering civilians. Olorunfemi said the Nigerian military is well aware of the rules of engagement during a crisis, therefore, they should not be accused of committing extrajudicial killings. “They [military] know that extrajudicial killings are forbidden and they are very organized in this regard,” Olorunfemi said.
Newsline: Ethiopian and Namibian ambassadors accused of role in Venezuelan envoy murder trial in Kenya
A lawyer in the Venezuelan envoy murder trial accused the Ethiopian and Namibian ambassadors of playing a role in the arrest of his client. Lawyer Katwa Kigen, who is representing the former first secretary of the Venezuelan Embassy Dwight Sagaray, said ambassadors Luise Gurbert and Juana Carlos insisted on having Sagaray charged with the murder of Olga Fonseca. The proceedings also saw a gardener, who still works at the Venezuelan Embassy, testify against Sagaray and his four co-accused. Julius Anini told Justice Weldon Korir that he knew the Ethiopian and Namibian ambassadors and that they came to act for the embassy when he was arrested with Sagaray for investigations into Fonseca’s murder.
Newsline: Thieves raid Indonesian Embassy in Namibia
Thieves broke into the Indonesian Embassy in Klein Windhoek last week Thursday and made off with laptops, new cellphones, a video camera, precious metals and cash. According to the Head of Chancery, Rieza Maulana, a review of the surveillance camera footage showed that at midnight at around 00:30 the burglars climbed over the side gate and electric fence to enter the yard of the embassy, which is situated in Nelson Mandela Avenue. They then went to the guard post and tied up the guards. “They forced entry into the building by cutting the burglar bars. Once inside, they disarmed the alarm, turned off the CCTV, forced open not less than six rooms and stole valuables,” explained Maulana. “Around 03:30 the tied security guards managed to escape and phoned the G4S headquarters,” he added. He said the police also responded quickly to the embassy’s call, adding that “the embassy appreciates the quick response and cooperation of Nampol”.
http://www.newera.com.na/2014/06/09/thieves-raid-indonesian-embassy/
Newsline: Namibian Embassy in Russia eyes Ukrainian evacuation
Government will evacuate Namibian students studying in Ukraine if the unrest in Ukraine jeopardises their safety. Although there are over 200 Namibians studying in Ukraine only 67 are registered with the Namibian Embassy in Moscow in Russia. “As for now those students that have registered with the embassy in Moscow are safe. But if it is moving to the situation where it gets dangerous, we will evacuate our children,” said the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Peya Mushelenga. Mushelenga said Namibia’s Ambassador to Russia, Ndali Kamata, assured him that Namibian students were safe in Ukraine. Some 70 Namibians are studying at the Crimea State Medical University.
http://www.newera.com.na/2014/03/06/namibia-ponders-ukrainian-evacuation/
Newsline: Iran reopens embassy in Namibia after 16 years
ran has reopened its embassy in the Namibian capital Windhoek after 16 years in a bid to strengthen Tehran’s cooperation with African countries. The embassy was reopened by Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi during a special ceremony on Monday after Kiomars Fotouhi Moqaddam started diplomatic activities as the Iranian ambassador to Windhoek. “The reopening of Iran’s embassy [in Namibia], which took place after a 16-year suspension due to economic problems, in the first look indicates the determination of the two countries’ officials to expand mutual relations and in the second look shows part of Iran’s macro policies to expand cooperation with the African continent,” Salehi said. He hoped Namibia would also open its embassy in Tehran in the near future. Salehi arrived in Namibia on Monday on the last leg of his tour of African nations. He previously visited Zimbabwe and Comoros.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/07/08/312899/iran-reopens-embassy-in-namibia/
Newsline: Zambian Diplomat Accused of Abusing Employees in Namibia
A number of current and former employees of Zambia’s High Commissioner to Namibia, Wendy Sinkala, have accused her of verbally abusing her Namibian domestic workers and of treating them as if they were modern-day slaves. Chief among the accusations are physical and dehumanising treatment; working for long hours without pay; working non-stop without being given days off; being insulted for no apparent reason; unfair deductions, as well as abrupt dismissals. Workers at the High Commission also accuse the diplomat of making belittling and degrading remarks about Namibians in general. Some of the domestic workers complained that they were forced to work from 07h00 to 17h00 without a lunch break. Those who dare to eat food at the High Commissioner’s residence face summary dismissal. “She treated us like we are dogs,” lamented one of the former workers who said she left her job because of the continued ill treatment by the diplomat who usually brags that she is untouchable, possibly in reference to her diplomatic status.
Newsline: Car Accident kills Spanish Ambassador to Zimbabwe
The Spanish Ambassador to Zimbabwe has been killed in a car crash while on a visit to Namibia on Monday. The Spanish embassy announced on Tuesday Ambassador Pilar Fuertes Ferragut who doubled up as the Spanish envoy to Zambia and Malawi died in a fatal accident. “The Spanish Embassy wishes to inform you of the tragic passing away of H.E. Pilar Fuertes Ferragut… in a car accident on Monday afternoon,” said a statement signed by embassy official Romée Fisher. The statement added that “all cultural activities of the Embassy of Spain have been cancelled until further notice.” Ambassador Ferragut was accredited to Zimbabwe in March 2009.
Consular affairs: Dilapidated consulate houses in Namibia up for sale
The South African government confirmed that the old consulate houses in Walvis Bay and other properties in Windhoek will be offered for sale via closed tender, according to a statement by the Walvis Bay Municipality. “We will be inviting bids via closed tender as from the middle of March this year. At the end of the month we will also open the houses for viewing while the closing date for bids will be on 15 April 2010. We will advertise the tender in all local and international media,” said Ncomeka Koni of the South African High Commission in Windhoek. In the past few years the condition of the houses in Walvis Bay has deteriorated to such an extent that residents have complained bitterly to the media and the municipality. The houses, vacant for a number of years, have been stripped of fixtures while vagrants and suspected criminals have from time to time been spotted at these properties. Apart from being an eyesore, residents also noted in the letter to the municipality that the property has become a health risk. “We are aware of the condition of these houses, but the decision to sell the property took some time due to internal government processes. All the properties will be open for viewing as from 26 March, and although the houses in Walvis Bay may not be in a good condition, it is the land itself and its location that will be of interest, Those who end up buying the property will no doubt demolish the existing structures and build new houses,” Koni added. Tender documents will be available at the High Commission as from 16 March 2010, while interested buyers can also obtain the documents from the Municipality.
http://www.informante.web.na/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5947&Itemid=103
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