Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Eino Vatileni
Published on 2024-04-17 11:59:14
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Maximalliant Katjimune raised concerns in parliament regarding the summoning of the European Union (EU) delegation by international relations and cooperation minister Peya Mushelenga. Katjimune questioned the ministry’s actions in summoning envoys from the delegation of the European Commission to Namibia and the German ambassador following a courtesy meeting.
Katjimune emphasized that there was no legal basis for prohibiting such informal interactions between foreign missions and political party actors or civil society members. He pointed out that the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) does not prohibit such meetings, except in cases where there is interference in the internal affairs of the receiving state, which was not the situation in this instance.
The PDM lawmaker also highlighted the lack of consistency in the ministry’s actions, questioning whether only Swapo politicians are allowed to meet with members of foreign missions. He raised concerns about the potential intimidation of foreign missions and opposition political parties, urging transparency and clarity in the ministry’s dealings.
The summoning of envoys from the EU, Germany, France, Spain, and Portugal by Minister Mushelenga came after reports of their meeting with the opposition party Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) to discuss various matters, including the upcoming elections. While the government clarified that it does not object to diplomatic missions engaging with political parties, discussions on issues within the purview of the sending and host governments were viewed as inconsistent with diplomatic norms.
The EU delegation refuted claims of discussing governance matters during their meeting with the IPC, stating that the lunch meeting focused on the situation in Namibia and Mr. Itula’s election campaign. The EU emphasized their commitment to engaging with relevant actors in Namibia and maintaining a warm and longstanding relationship based on shared values and mutual respect.
Katjimune’s questioning of the ministry’s actions sheds light on the importance of upholding diplomatic norms and respecting the sovereignty of all parties involved. The issue highlights the need for clear guidelines and transparency in diplomatic interactions to avoid misunderstandings and promote constructive engagement between foreign missions and political entities.
Read the original article on The Namibian
