VIPs expected to flock to Nujoma's final farewell
The Namibian government is hard at work making arrangements in preparation for the expected arrival of heads of state and high-ranking foreign leaders from across the globe for the historic funeral of founding president Sam Nujoma on 1 March. Details have already been shared internationally to facilitate these visits.
World leaders wishing to deliver messages at the memorial service on Friday, 28 February, at the Independence Stadium were required to inform the office of the executive director of the international relations and cooperation ministry and Ambassador Sabine Bohlke-Möller, head of bilateral relations and cooperation, by Friday, 21 February.
Heads of state will land either at Hosea Kutako International Airport or at Eros Airport in Windhoek. They will be accommodated at the Windhoek Country Club, Hilton Hotel, Movenpick Hotel or Avani Hotel from 27 February to 2 March. The list of accompanying delegates had to be submitted to the ministry by Friday. Accreditation applications for foreign media were also due by then.
Strong ties
According to former diplomat Ambassador Pius Dunaiski, leaders from countries with strong historical ties to Namibia, particularly those who supported the liberation struggle, are expected to attend.
Dunaiski highlighted that twenty heads of state were present on 21 March 1990 when Nujoma was sworn in as Namibia’s first president. Delegates from 147 countries attended the event that day. During his three-term presidency, Nujoma also undertook state visits to strengthen diplomatic ties with countries such as the US, Russia, China, the UK, Japan, India and many more, he said.
"For example, in 1991, Queen Elizabeth II made a state visit to Namibia, hosted by President Nujoma. Additionally, President Nujoma met with US President Bill Clinton during a private visit in June 1993," Dunaiski noted.
He expects heads of state from all neighbouring African nations, as well as representatives from international bodies such as SADC, the AU, UN and EU, along with representatives from countries like the United Kingdom, given Queen Elizabeth II’s historic visit.
"Namibia has diplomatic relations with around 100 countries worldwide. I expect many will send delegations," he said.
Friendships forged
Social science lecturer Prof. Johan Coetzee said high-level representation is expected from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He also believes China, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea may attend, as their ties with Namibia were forged through Nujoma. Other African nations, including Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria, are also expected.
Dunaiski pointed out that Namibia co-chaired the United Nations' Summit of the Future with Germany last year.
“Namibia, though small, is highly regarded internationally – so much so that it was elected chair of the Summit of the Future during the 79th UN General Assembly last year. That speaks volumes,” the ambassador said.
While the ministry declined to confirm which delegations have RSVP’d by Friday, responses were received from some foreign embassies in reply to enquiries from Network Media Hub (NMH).
The Czech Republic will be represented by Tomas Ulicny, its ambassador to Namibia. “We plan to send higher-level representation for the inauguration of the new president,” the Czech government stated, regretting that a higher-level delegation could not attend now, especially given Nujoma’s state visit there in 1999.
Brazil’s embassy indicated that they expect a high-level delegation but have not yet confirmed specific attendees.
Chargé d'Affaires Brandon Hudspeth will represent the US government at the state funeral.
World leaders wishing to deliver messages at the memorial service on Friday, 28 February, at the Independence Stadium were required to inform the office of the executive director of the international relations and cooperation ministry and Ambassador Sabine Bohlke-Möller, head of bilateral relations and cooperation, by Friday, 21 February.
Heads of state will land either at Hosea Kutako International Airport or at Eros Airport in Windhoek. They will be accommodated at the Windhoek Country Club, Hilton Hotel, Movenpick Hotel or Avani Hotel from 27 February to 2 March. The list of accompanying delegates had to be submitted to the ministry by Friday. Accreditation applications for foreign media were also due by then.
Strong ties
According to former diplomat Ambassador Pius Dunaiski, leaders from countries with strong historical ties to Namibia, particularly those who supported the liberation struggle, are expected to attend.
Dunaiski highlighted that twenty heads of state were present on 21 March 1990 when Nujoma was sworn in as Namibia’s first president. Delegates from 147 countries attended the event that day. During his three-term presidency, Nujoma also undertook state visits to strengthen diplomatic ties with countries such as the US, Russia, China, the UK, Japan, India and many more, he said.
"For example, in 1991, Queen Elizabeth II made a state visit to Namibia, hosted by President Nujoma. Additionally, President Nujoma met with US President Bill Clinton during a private visit in June 1993," Dunaiski noted.
He expects heads of state from all neighbouring African nations, as well as representatives from international bodies such as SADC, the AU, UN and EU, along with representatives from countries like the United Kingdom, given Queen Elizabeth II’s historic visit.
"Namibia has diplomatic relations with around 100 countries worldwide. I expect many will send delegations," he said.
Friendships forged
Social science lecturer Prof. Johan Coetzee said high-level representation is expected from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He also believes China, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea may attend, as their ties with Namibia were forged through Nujoma. Other African nations, including Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria, are also expected.
Dunaiski pointed out that Namibia co-chaired the United Nations' Summit of the Future with Germany last year.
“Namibia, though small, is highly regarded internationally – so much so that it was elected chair of the Summit of the Future during the 79th UN General Assembly last year. That speaks volumes,” the ambassador said.
While the ministry declined to confirm which delegations have RSVP’d by Friday, responses were received from some foreign embassies in reply to enquiries from Network Media Hub (NMH).
The Czech Republic will be represented by Tomas Ulicny, its ambassador to Namibia. “We plan to send higher-level representation for the inauguration of the new president,” the Czech government stated, regretting that a higher-level delegation could not attend now, especially given Nujoma’s state visit there in 1999.
Brazil’s embassy indicated that they expect a high-level delegation but have not yet confirmed specific attendees.
Chargé d'Affaires Brandon Hudspeth will represent the US government at the state funeral.
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