Foreign relations of Namibia

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Template:Short description Template:EngvarB Template:Use dmy dates

Script error: No such module "Sidebar". Namibia follows a largely independent foreign policy, with strong affiliations with states that aided the independence struggle, including Nigeria, Libya, and Cuba.

In Africa, Namibia has been involved in conflicts in neighbouring Angola as well as Democratic Republic of the Congo.

International organizations

Namibia is a member of 47 international organizations. These are:[1]

United Nations

File:Hopelong Ushona Ipinge & Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.jpg
Namibian ambassador to Brazil, Hopelong Ushona Ipinge (left) with President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at Palácio do Planalto, Brasília in 2006

Namibia became the 160th member of the United Nations on 23 April 1990 upon independence from South Africa.[1]

International disputes

Namibia is involved in several minor international disputes.[1]

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Namibia maintains diplomatic relations with:

File:Diplomatic relations of Namibia.svg
# Country Date[2][3]
1 File:Flag of Algeria.svg Algeria Template:Dts
2 File:Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil Template:Dts[4]
3 File:Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada Template:Dts[5]
4 File:Flag of Germany.svg Germany Template:Dts[6]
5 File:Flag of Ghana.svg Ghana Template:Dts
6 File:Flag of Finland.svg Finland Template:Dts
7 File:Flag of India.svg India Template:Dts[7]
8 File:Flag of Iran.svg Iran Template:Dts
9 File:Flag of Japan.svg Japan Template:Dts
10 File:Flag of Kenya.svg Kenya Template:Dts[8]
11 File:Flag of Malawi.svg Malawi Template:Dts
12 File:Flag of Malaysia.svg Malaysia Template:Dts
13 File:Flag of Nigeria.svg Nigeria Template:Dts[9]
14 File:Flag of North Korea.svg North Korea Template:Dts
15 File:Flag of Norway.svg Norway Template:Dts[10]
Template:Country data State of Palestine Template:Dts[11]
16 File:Flag of Poland.svg Poland Template:Dts[12]
17 File:Flag of Romania.svg Romania Template:Dts
18 File:Flag of Russia.svg Russia Template:Dts
19 File:Flag of Serbia.svg Serbia Template:Dts
20 File:Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea Template:Dts[6]
21 File:Flag of Spain.svg Spain Template:Dts[13]
22 File:Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden Template:Dts
23 File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom Template:Dts
24 File:Flag of the United States.svg United States Template:Dts
25 File:Flag of Vietnam.svg Vietnam Template:Dts[14]
26 File:Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Zimbabwe Template:Dts[15]
27 File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Template:Dts
28 File:Flag of Hungary.svg Hungary Template:Dts
29 File:Flag of Pakistan.svg Pakistan Template:Dts[16]
30 File:Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg Republic of the Congo Template:Dts
31 File:Flag of Morocco.svg Morocco Template:Dts[17]
32 File:Flag of Tunisia.svg Tunisia Template:Dts[18]
33 File:Flag of Vanuatu.svg Vanuatu Template:Dts[19]
34 File:Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland Template:Dts[20]
35 File:Flag of Kuwait.svg Kuwait Template:Dts[21]
36 File:Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey Template:Dts[22]
37 File:Flag of Cuba.svg Cuba Template:Dts
38 File:Flag of Barbados.svg Barbados Template:Dts
39 File:Flag of Angola.svg Angola Template:Dts[23]
40 File:Flag of Lesotho.svg Lesotho Template:Dts[24]
41 File:Flag of Italy.svg Italy Template:Dts[20]
42 File:Flag of Venezuela.svg Venezuela Template:Dts
43 File:Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico Template:Dts[25]
44 File:Flag of Senegal.svg Senegal Template:Dts[26]
45 File:Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands Template:Dts[27]
46 File:Flag of Colombia.svg Colombia Template:Dts
47 File:Flag of Liberia.svg Liberia Template:Dts[28]
48 File:Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Papua New Guinea Template:Dts
49 File:Flag of France.svg France Template:Dts[29]
50 File:Flag of Libya.svg Libya Template:Dts[30]
51 File:Flag of Egypt.svg Egypt Template:Dts
File:Flag of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.svg Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Template:Dts[31]
52 File:Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria Template:Dts
53 File:Flag of Iraq.svg Iraq Template:Dts[32]
54 File:Flag of Cameroon.svg Cameroon Template:Dts[33]
55 File:Flag of Peru.svg Peru Template:Dts
56 File:Flag of Ecuador.svg Ecuador Template:Dts
57 File:Flag of Maldives.svg Maldives Template:Dts
58 File:Flag of Botswana.svg Botswana Template:Dts
59 File:Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina Template:Dts
60 File:Flag of Albania.svg Albania Template:Dts
61 File:Flag of Zambia.svg Zambia Template:Dts[34]
62 File:Flag of Greece.svg Greece Template:Dts
63 File:Flag of Benin.svg Benin Template:Dts
64 File:Flag of Jamaica.svg Jamaica Template:Dts
65 File:Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium Template:Dts
66 File:Flag of Afghanistan (2013–2021).svg Afghanistan Template:Dts
67 File:Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg Democratic Republic of the Congo Template:Dts[35]
68 File:Flag of Austria.svg Austria Template:Dts
69 File:Flag of Chile.svg Chile Template:Dts
70 File:Flag of Mongolia.svg Mongolia Template:Dts
71 File:Flag of Thailand.svg Thailand Template:Dts
72 File:Flag of Sudan.svg Sudan Template:Dts[36]
73 File:Flag of Suriname.svg Suriname Template:Dts
74 File:Flag of Yemen.svg Yemen Template:Dts[37]
75 File:Flag of Iceland.svg Iceland Template:Dts
76 File:Flag of Rwanda.svg Rwanda Template:Dts
77 File:Flag of Bangladesh.svg Bangladesh Template:Dts[38]
78 File:Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark Template:Dts[39]
79 File:Flag of Ethiopia.svg Ethiopia Template:Dts[40]
80 File:Flag of Tanzania.svg Tanzania Template:Dts[41]
81 File:Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand Template:Dts[42]
82 File:Flag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia Template:Dts[43]
83 File:Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal Template:Dts[44]
84 File:Flag of Seychelles.svg Seychelles Template:Dts
85 File:Flag of Eswatini.svg Eswatini Template:Dts
86 File:Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine Template:Dts[45]
87 File:Flag of Côte d'Ivoire.svg Ivory Coast Template:Dts
88 File:Flag of Gabon.svg Gabon 1990–1992[46]
89 File:Flag of The Gambia.svg Gambia 1990–1992[46]
90 File:Flag of Uganda.svg Uganda 1990–1992[46]
91 File:Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech Republic Template:Dts
92 File:Flag of Guatemala.svg Guatemala Template:Dts
93 File:Flag of Eritrea.svg Eritrea Template:Dts[47]
94 File:Flag of Israel.svg Israel Template:Dts
95 File:Flag of Slovenia.svg Slovenia Template:Dts[48]
96 File:Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa Template:Dts[49]
97 File:Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Script error: No such module "Date table sorting".[50]
98 File:Flag of Uruguay.svg Uruguay Template:Dts[51]
99 File:Flag of Guyana.svg Guyana Template:Dts
100 File:Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore Template:Dts[52]
101 File:Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg Trinidad and Tobago Template:Dts
102 File:Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland Template:Dts[53]
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103 File:Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Bosnia and Herzegovina Template:Dts[55]
104 File:Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines Template:Dts[56]
105 File:Flag of Brunei.svg Brunei Template:Dts
106 File:Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg United Arab Emirates Template:Dts
107 File:Flag of Cape Verde.svg Cape Verde Template:Dts[57]
108 File:Flag of Qatar.svg Qatar Template:Dts
109 File:Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg Dominican Republic Script error: No such module "Date table sorting".
110 File:Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovakia Template:Dts[58]
111 File:Flag of Latvia.svg Latvia Template:Dts[59]
112 File:Flag of Mauritius.svg Mauritius Template:Dts[50]
113 File:Flag of Croatia.svg Croatia Template:Dts
114 File:Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Sri Lanka Template:Dts[60]
115 File:Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Uzbekistan Template:Dts[61]
116 File:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg Kyrgyzstan Template:Dts
117 File:Flag of Belarus.svg Belarus Template:Dts[62]
118 File:Flag of Panama.svg Panama Template:Dts[63]
119 File:Flag of Guinea.svg Guinea Template:Dts[64]
120 File:Flag of Sierra Leone.svg Sierra Leone Template:Dts[64]
121 File:Flag of East Timor.svg Timor-Leste Template:Dts
122 File:Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia Template:Dts[65]
123 File:Flag of Mali.svg Mali Template:Dts[64]
124 File:Flag of Malta.svg Malta Template:Dts[66]
125 File:Flag of Madagascar.svg Madagascar Template:Dts[64]
126 File:Flag of Lithuania.svg Lithuania Template:Dts[67]
127 File:Flag of Paraguay.svg Paraguay Template:Dts[68]
128 File:Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia Template:Dts[69]
129 File:Flag of Cyprus.svg Cyprus Template:Dts[70]
130 File:Flag of Luxembourg.svg Luxembourg Script error: No such module "Date table sorting".[71]
131 File:Flag of the Bahamas.svg Bahamas Template:Dts[72]
132 File:Flag of El Salvador.svg El Salvador Template:Dts[73]
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133 File:Flag of Montenegro.svg Montenegro Template:Dts
134 File:Flag of Burundi.svg Burundi Template:Dts
135 File:Flag of Cambodia.svg Cambodia Template:Dts
136 File:Flag of Mauritania.svg Mauritania Template:Dts[75]
137 File:Flag of Togo (3-2).svg Togo Template:Dts[75]
138 File:Flag of South Sudan.svg South Sudan Template:Dts[76]
139 File:Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg Equatorial Guinea Template:Dts[75]
140 Template:Country data North Macedonia Template:Dts
141 File:Flag of Niger.svg Niger Template:Dts[77]
142 File:Flag of Burkina Faso.svg Burkina Faso Template:Dts[77]
143 File:Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Kazakhstan Template:Dts[78]
144 File:Flag of Haiti.svg Haiti Template:Dts[79]
145 File:Flag of Costa Rica.svg Costa Rica Template:Dts[80]
146 File:Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Saudi Arabia Template:Dts
147 Template:Country data Georgia Template:Dts
148 File:Flag of the Central African Republic.svg Central African Republic Template:Dts[77]
149 File:Flag of Chad.svg Chad Script error: No such module "Date table sorting".[77]
150 File:Flag of Djibouti.svg Djibouti Template:Dts[81]
151 File:Flag of Oman.svg Oman Template:Dts
152 File:Flag of São Tomé and Príncipe.svg São Tomé and Príncipe Template:Dts[82]
153 File:Flag of Monaco.svg Monaco Template:Dts
154 File:Flag of Nicaragua.svg Nicaragua Template:Dts[83]
155 File:Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Azerbaijan Template:Dts[84]
156 File:Flag of Saint Lucia.svg Saint Lucia Template:Dts
157 File:Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.svg Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Template:Dts[85]
158 File:Flag of Liechtenstein.svg Liechtenstein Template:Dts[86]
159 File:Flag of the Comoros.svg Comoros Template:Dts[87]
160 File:Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg Guinea-Bissau Template:Dts[88]
161 File:Flag of Belize.svg Belize Template:Dts[89]
162 File:Flag of Andorra.svg Andorra Template:Dts[90]
163 File:Flag of Bahrain.svg Bahrain Template:Dts
164 File:Flag of Tajikistan.svg Tajikistan Template:Dts[91]
165 File:Flag of Somalia.svg Somalia Template:Dts[92]
166 File:Flag of Moldova.svg Moldova Unknown[93]
167 File:Flag of Mozambique.svg Mozambique Unknown

Bilateral relations

Africa

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
File:Flag of Angola.svg Angola See Angola–Namibia relations

In 1999 Namibia signed a mutual defence pact with its northern neighbour Angola. This affected the Angolan Civil War that has been ongoing since Angola's independence in 1975. Namibia's ruling party SWAPO wanted to support the ruling party MPLA in Angola to fight the rebel movement UNITA, whose stronghold is in southern Angola, bordering Namibia. The defence pact allowed Angolan troops to use Namibian territory when attacking UNITA.

The alliance between SWAPO and MPLA has deep roots and began as both Angola's and Namibia's ruling parties sought independence during the mid-20th century and into the Angolan Civil War. In Angola, the leftist movement MPLA was fighting the rightist movement UNITA, which was supported by South Africa. In Namibia, SWAPO, then a rebel movement, was fighting for independence from South Africa along the Angolan border. Angola allowed SWAPO to establish training and refugee camps for Namibians and PLAN (People's Liberation Army of Namibia) fighters. As MPLA and SWAPO shared a common ideological ground, and had a common enemy in South Africa, they came to cooperate.

The Angolan civil war resulted in a large number of Angolan refugees coming to Namibia. At its peak in 2001 there were over 30,000 Angolan refugees in Namibia. The calmer situation in Angola has made it possible for many of them to return to their home with the help of UNHCR, and in 2004 only 12,600 remained in Namibia. [94] Most of them reside in the refugee camp Osire north of Windhoek.

File:Flag of Botswana.svg Botswana See Botswana–Namibia relations

Botswana–Namibia relations are friendly, with the two neighbouring countries cooperating on economic development. Botswana gained independence from Britain in September 1966. Namibia gained independence from South Africa in 1990 following the Namibian War of Independence.

  • Botswana has a High Commission in Windhoek.
  • Namibia has a High Commission in Gaborone.
File:Flag of Eswatini.svg Eswatini 28 February 1992 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 February 1992[95]
  • Eswatini is accredited to Namibia from its High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Namibia is accredited to Eswatini from its High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa.
File:Flag of Ethiopia.svg Ethiopia

During the South African occupation of Namibia, Ethiopia was one of the country's leading proponents abroad; Ethiopia and Liberia were the first two states to bring the question of independence for then South West Africa to the United Nations.[96]

In 2007, the two governments signed an agreement which expanded air travel between the two states.[97] In December 2009, Namibia's Foreign Minister, Marko Hausiku met with Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister Seyoum Mesfin and noted the economic, science, technical and cultural agreements in place between the two countries and expressed a desire to improve the trade relations.[98]

  • Ethiopia is accredited to Namibia from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Namibia has an embassy in Addis Ababa.
File:Flag of Liberia.svg Liberia

In 1960, Liberia and Ethiopia brought litigation against apartheid South Africa in the International Court of Justice to end its occupation of Namibia.[99] As part of Liberia's support for Namibia's liberation struggle, many Namibian students received Liberian passports which helped them study abroad.

As of July 2008, a total of 5,900 Namibia Defence Force troops had been rotated through Liberia as part of the United Nations Mission in Liberia.[100] Namibia maintained a battalion of about 800 personnel in Grand Cape Mount county for several years, for most of the period part of UNMIL Sector 2, headquartered at Tubmanburg. In May 2005, Namibian troops were accused of sexual exploitation of young girls and women; three Namibian soldiers were sent home from the force after a United Nations investigation found them guilty of "engaging in sexual activity with civilians", which is against United Nations rules for peacekeepers.[101]

  • Liberia is accredited to Namibia from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Namibia is accredited to Liberia from its high commission in Abuja, Nigeria.
File:Flag of Nigeria.svg Nigeria 21 March 1990

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 March 1990[102]

Namibia and Nigeria have binding bilateral agreements, but as of 2014, trade between the two countries was low. In March 2014, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan visited Namibia for Namibia's 24th independence day celebrations. The two countries also discussed establishing an oil refinery in Namibia for Nigerian oil.[103]

  • Namibia has a high commission in Abuja.
  • Nigeria has a high commission in Windhoek.
File:Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa See Namibia–South Africa relations

Upon independence in 1990, Namibia's economy was still tied to South Africa's.[104] To this day, the economy of Namibia is still closely contacted to South Africa through both institutional relationships (Southern African Customs Union, for example) and privately owned mining concessions.[105] The South African rand is still legal currency within Namibia, while the Namibian dollar is not so in South Africa and the currencies are traded on par locally.

  • Namibia has a high commission in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Cape Town.
  • South Africa has a high commission in Windhoek.
File:Flag of Zambia.svg Zambia 5 August 1990 See Namibia–Zambia relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 August 1990[106]

  • Namibia has a high commission in Lusaka.
  • Zambia has a high commission in Windhoek.
File:Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Zimbabwe See Namibia–Zimbabwe relations

The ruling parties of Namibia (since independence in 1990) and Zimbabwe (since independence in 1980) have been close since pre-independence days, as both were anti-colonial movements against white-minority governments.[107] Namibia sent troops in the Namibia Defence Force to the Democratic Republic of the Congo alongside Zimbabwe in a SADC coalition to support President Joseph Kabila.[108]

  • Namibia has an embassy in Harare.
  • Zimbabwe has an embassy in Windhoek.

Americas

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
File:Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil 1990 See Brazil–Namibia relations
File:Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada See Canada–Namibia relations

Canada's relationship with Namibia began in 1977 when Canada joined the Western Contact Group, a joint diplomatic effort of France, United Kingdom, United States, Canada and West Germany to bring an internationally acceptable transition to independence for Namibia. In 1990 official relations started; Canada has dispatched an Honorary Consul to Windhoek.[109]

Canada is one of the main destinations for Namibian refugees. Together with Botswana and Denmark, Canada has been granting asylum to people fleeing Namibia in the aftermath of the Caprivi conflict, and particularly the Caprivi treason trial that followed in which the Namibian government was accused of human rights violations.[110] Only in 2010 Canada has changed its standpoint and is now considering the CLA to be a terrorist organisation that has "attempted to usurp an elected government". Nonetheless, Canada received a steady inflow of Namibian immigrants who seek economic betterment under the pretense of humiliation and harassment in Namibia. In 2011 more than 1,000 Namibians entered Canada. Three-quarters of them applied for refugee status, but only a few were successful.[111]

  • Canada is accredited to Namibia from its high commission in Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Namibia is accredited to Canada from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
File:Flag of Cuba.svg Cuba See Cuba–Namibia relations

Cuban-Namibian relations date back to the Namibian War of Independence when Cuba politically, militarily and diplomatically supported the Namibian rebel organization and future ruling party, South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) against the military of Apartheid South Africa.[112]

Since independence, Namibia and Cuba have held joint meetings every two years for Economic, Scientific-Technical and Commercial Cooperation. In 2005, it was reported that 1,460 Cuban professionals had worked in Namibia, including 208 in 2005.[112]

  • Cuba has an embassy in Windhoek.
  • Namibia has an embassy in Havana.
File:Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico 17 April 1990 See Mexico–Namibia relations

Mexico recognized and established diplomatic relations with Namibia on 17 April 1990. In 1993, Mexico opened an embassy in Windhoek, however, the embassy was closed in 2002.[113]

  • Mexico is accredited to Namibia from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.[114]
  • Namibia is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.[115]
File:Flag of the United States.svg United States See Namibia–United States relations

U.S.-Namibian relations are good and continue to improve. Characterized by shared democratic values, commitment to rule of law, and respect for human rights, the bilateral relationship has been strengthened through trade ties and U.S. assistance programs. Namibia has seized opportunities created by AGOA. Currently the SACU countries and the U.S. are negotiating a Trade, Investment and Development Cooperation Agreement, scheduled to be signed in 2008. Namibia has been included in President Bush's International Mother and Child HIV Initiative and the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) bilateral presence in Namibia has been extended until 2010. In addition to the embassy, the Centers for Disease Control, Peace Corps, and the United States Department of Defense have offices in Windhoek.

  • Namibia has an embassy in Washington, D.C.
  • United States has an embassy in Windhoek.

Asia

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China See China–Namibia relations

Governmental relations were first established the day after Namibia's independence, but relations with Namibian independence movements date back to the 1960s.[116] China and Namibia have developed close economic relations, with trade increasing twofold between the two countries from 2003 to 2006. During a February 2007 visit, Chinese President Hu Jintao pledged Namibia "RMB 1 billion of concessional loans, 100 million US dollars of preferential export buyer's credit, RMB 30 million yuan of grants and RMB 30 million of interest-free loans..."[116]

File:Flag of India.svg India See India–Namibia relations

Relations began between SWAPO and the Indian government prior to independence. In 2010, relations were described by Indian officials as "warm and cordial". India has been involved in training the Namibian Air Force and bilateral trade in 2008–09 stood at $80 million.[117]

File:Flag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia See Indonesia–Namibia relations
  • Indonesia has an embassy in Windhoek.
  • Namibia is accredited to Indonesia from its high commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
File:Flag of Israel.svg Israel See Israel–Namibia relations
  • Israel is accredited to Namibia from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem.
  • Namibia is accredited to Israel from its embassy in Cairo, Egypt.
File:Flag of Japan.svg Japan See Japan–Namibia relations

Diplomatic relations between Japan and Namibia were established in March 1990.

  • Japan has an embassy in Windhoek.
  • Namibia has an embassy in Tokyo.
File:Flag of Malaysia.svg Malaysia See Malaysia–Namibia relations

Both countries were once part of the British Empire and before Namibia achieved its independence, Malaysia has contributed to some operations in Namibia by sending a group of soldiers to help monitor the Namibian elections and peace process.[120] Today, the relations are much more focused in economic cooperation.

  • Malaysia has a high commission in Windhoek.
  • Namibia has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur.
File:Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey 1966[121] See Namibia–Turkey relations
  • Namibia is accredited to Turkey from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
  • Turkey has an embassy in Windhoek.[121]
  • Trade volume between the two countries was US$11.84 million in 2019 (Namibian exports/imports: 2.44/9.40 million USD).[121]

Europe

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
File:Flag of Finland.svg Finland See Finland–Namibia relations

Finland recognised Namibia on 21 March 1990. Both countries established diplomatic relations on the same day, and Namibia was represented in Finland through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. Since 2015 Namibia has an embassy in Helsinki. Finland has an embassy in Windhoek and an honorary consulate in Walvis Bay.[122]

Finland has stated it is a staunch supporter of Namibian independence.[123] The Finnish Government has provided assistance in the sectors of forestry, water, environment and health.[124] Namibia's exports to Finland increased from N$810 million in 2004 to over N$1 billion (approximately 90 million EUR) in 2007.[125]

In June 2008, Prime Minister of Namibia Nahas Angula visited Finland.[126]

  • Finland has an embassy in Windhoek.
  • Namibia has an embassy in Helsinki.
File:Flag of France.svg France
  • France has an embassy in Windhoek.
  • Namibia has an embassy in Paris.
File:Flag of Germany.svg Germany See Germany–Namibia relations

First contacts between people of the two countries took place when German missionaries were hired by the London Missionary Society to commence working in Southern Namibia during the late 18th and early 19th century.[127] In the 1880s the German Empire came to what is now Namibia as a colonizing power, creating German South-West Africa. The German colonial rule was marked by tensions and led to the genocide of the Herero and Namaqua people from 1904 to 1907, which resulted in the deaths of 65,000 Herero (80 percent of the total Herero population), and 10,000 Nama (50% of the total Nama population). The colony was ruled by Germany until 1915 when it was conquered by troops from the Union of South Africa.

During South African rule, German was one of the three official languages of Namibia, the others being Afrikaans and English. Likewise during Apartheid rule, West Germany maintained a consulate in Windhoek despite United Nations resolutions calling for the isolation of South Africa.

Namibian independence in 1990 coincided with German reunification, resulting in an initially slow development of diplomatic relations. However, in both 1989 and 2004 the German government acknowledged its responsibility for Namibia as a priority partner country.[128] Since then German Development minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul visited Namibia, asking the country for forgiveness of the past.[129] Today, not least due to substantially improved co-operation and exchange, as well as by fate of the permanent presence of the "German tribe in Namibia", the two countries have mostly learnt to a new dialogue, which at times also still stagnates.

  • Germany has an embassy in Windhoek.
  • Namibia has an embassy in Berlin.
Template:Country data North Macedonia

On 21 December 2011 North Macedonia and Namibia established diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level when the Ambassadors of both countries to the UN, Pajo Avirovic and Wilfried Emvula respectively, signed the joint communiqué. With the establishment of diplomatic relations, Namibia recognised Macedonia under its constitutional name the 'Republic of Macedonia' as opposed to its provisional name the 'former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia'; in doing so Namibia became the 133 country to recognise Macedonia's constitutional name.[130]

  • North Macedonia does not have an accreditation to Namibia.
  • Namibia is accredited to North Macedonia from its embassy in Vienna, Austria.
File:Flag of Poland.svg Poland See Namibia–Poland relations
  • Namibia is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, and there is an honorary consulate of Namibia in Warsaw.
  • Poland is accredited to Namibia from its embassy in Pretoria.
File:Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal
  • Namibia is accredited to Portugal from its embassy in Paris, France.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Windhoek.
File:Flag of Russia.svg Russia See Namibia–Russia relations

Relations between Namibia and Russia were considered "excellent" in 2006 by then-Namibian Minister of Education Nangolo Mbumba, while Russia expressed a desire for even stronger relations, particularly in the economic field. Also in 2006, the Namibia-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was officially opened during a visit by Russian Natural Resources Minister Yuri Trutnev to Windhoek. During said visit, the Minister said Russia was interested in investing in oil, hydro-electric power and tourism.[131] In 2007, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov held discussions with Namibian Deputy Prime Minister Nahas Angula and President Hifikepunye Pohamba in regards to the possibility of developing Namibia's significant uranium deposits with an aim towards creating a nuclear power plant in the country.[132] In 2008, Trutnev returned to Namibia, this time to Swakopmund, to meet at the third annual Intergovernmental Commission. Top foreign ministry official Marco Hausiku and his deputy Lempy Lucas represented Namibia in discussions with Trutnev.[133]

  • Namibia has an embassy in Moscow.
  • Russia has an embassy in Windhoek.
File:Flag of Serbia.svg Serbia 1990

Diplomatic relations between Namibia and Serbia were officially established in 1990.[134] Serbia, then part of Yugoslavia, provided education, training, and financial support for SWAPO members during the entirety of the South African Border War, and the two countries have shared close relations ever since.[135] During the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999, Namibia, which was then on the UN Security Council, voted with Russia and China for an immediate cessation of NATO attacks. Namibia also strongly supports the Serbian position on the Kosovo dispute.[136]

  • Namibia is accredited to Serbia from its embassy in Vienna, Austria.
  • Serbia is accredited to Namibia from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
File:Flag of Spain.svg Spain See Namibia–Spain relations
  • Namibia is accredited to Spain from its embassy in Paris, France.
  • Spain has an embassy in Windhoek.
File:Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden See Namibia–Sweden relations
  • Namibia has an embassy in Stockholm.
  • Sweden is accredited to Namibia from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
File:Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland
  • Namibia has an embassy in Geneva.
  • Switzerland is accredited to Namibia from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa and maintains an honorary consulate in Windhoek.
File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 1990 See Namibia–United Kingdom relations

Namibia established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom in 1990.

Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, the International Criminal Court, and the World Trade Organization, as well as the SACUM–UK Economic Partnership Agreement.[138]

  • Namibia has a high commission in London.
  • United Kingdom has a high commission in Windhoek.

Namibia and the Commonwealth of Nations

Namibia has been a Commonwealth republic since 1990, when South West Africa became independent of South Africa.

See also

Notes and references

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  109. Canada-Namibia relations Template:Webarchive Foreign Ministry of Canada
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