Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Donald Matthys
Published on 2024-04-12 12:07:56
The European Union (EU) has denied allegations that its heads of missions were engaged in discussions about governance matters during a recent meeting with the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC). The meeting, hosted by German ambassador Thorsten Hutter on behalf of the EU in Windhoek, was attended by ambassadors from Spain, Portugal, France, and Finland. Despite being described as “unusual” in terms of diplomatic protocol, the discussions at the meeting included the upcoming elections and IPC’s strategies to address grievances among liberation struggle fighters, as stated by the IPC.
The meeting faced criticism from both the government and Swapo following its occurrence. However, EU ambassador to Namibia Ana-Beatriz Martins clarified in a statement that the delegation had an informal lunch to discuss the situation in Namibia, including Panduleni Itula’s election campaign. Martins emphasized that the EU heads of missions did not touch on matters falling within the jurisdiction of the Namibian government, nor did they make any comments or predictions about the election outcome.
Furthermore, Martins elaborated that this meeting was part of the EU’s routine engagement with relevant entities in Namibia, reflecting the standard practice of diplomatic missions worldwide. She highlighted the warm and longstanding relationship between the EU and its member states with Namibia, based on shared values and mutual respect.
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In conclusion, the EU’s meeting with the IPC has sparked controversy and criticism, with allegations of discussions about governance matters. However, the EU has reaffirmed its commitment to impartiality and respect for Namibia’s government, maintaining that the discussions focused on Namibia’s situation and the upcoming elections. As diplomatic engagements continue, the EU aims to uphold its relationship with Namibia based on shared values and mutual respect.
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