Kalomoh warns against illusions of Namibia's strength

Retired Namibian diplomat and former ambassador to the United States, Tuliameni Kalomoh, has urged caution against the perception that Namibia is a powerful nation despite its respected foreign policy reputation. Speaking on NTV’s The Agenda show on Sunday, Kalomoh emphasised that Namibia remains “economically small” and militarily limited, urging a more pragmatic approach to foreign policy.His comments come as President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah prepares to be sworn in as Namibia’s first female president on 21 March. This follows the Supreme Court’s dismissal of a legal challenge against the 2024 presidential election results by the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) last week. The two opposition parties had contested the election outcome, arguing that the extension of the voting period beyond the initial election date was unlawful. However, Chief Justice Peter Shivute delivered a unanimous verdict affirming the validity of the extension.Kalomoh, highlighting Namibia’s economic vulnerabilities, stated that the country lacks an “independent economy” and remains heavily reliant on extractive industries without the technological capacity to add value to its resources. He warned that this dependency should be a crucial consideration in formulating and implementing foreign policies.Expressing concern over growing geopolitical divisions between the United States and Europe, Kalomoh criticised the influence of Donald Trump’s leadership on Africa. He argued that the U.S. administration's fear of being overtaken by foreigners has led to an anti-foreigner sentiment with a “racist undertone” toward Africa. According to Kalomoh, this condescending stance was evident during Trump's first administration and persists in the second.He cautioned Namibia against overextending itself beyond its economic, political, and diplomatic capacities. He stressed that national stability depends on unity and economic growth, particularly in addressing youth unemployment. “Our foremost obligation is to ensure peace within our borders. That peace depends, in part, on our ability to work together and, critically, on our economic capacity to generate jobs, especially for young graduates who need to be absorbed into the economy,” Kalomoh stated.Kalomoh warned that if hunger and unemployment continue to plague the Namibian population, it could lead to instability. Drawing from his experience as a former UN official, he noted that such conditions often result in internal unrest and political upheaval in developing nations.The retired diplomat also urged the incoming administration to uphold a principled foreign policy by supporting all peoples fighting for self-determination and independence. He emphasised the importance of standing by the Palestinian people and the Sahrawi people of Western Sahara in their struggles. Kalomoh called for a firm commitment to multilateralism, the upholding of international law, and respect for global institutions represented by the United Nations. - nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

Kalomoh warns against illusions of Namibia's strength

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-10

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Kalomoh warns against illusions of Namibia's strength

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-10

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