Namibia, Angola condemn ‘mercenaries’

THE 11th Session of the Namibia/Angola Joint Commission on Defence and Security, which met at Walvis Bay last week, condemned the cowardice acts of alleged mercenaries arrested in Zimbabwe.

“The commission felt that there is an urgent need for African governments to put appropriate measures in place to curb the activities of mercenaries,” a statement from the commission said. The commission noted with concern the deteriorating security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially the recent attempted coup and the occupation of Bukavu by rebels in the eastern part of that country which poses a threat to peace efforts in the region.The commission therefore supports all initiatives aimed at implementing the DRC Peace Accord.The statement highlighted that the commission expressed appreciation made by the UN and African countries to reach peace and stability in Africa, adding that the commission commended the deployment of a NDF Battalion in Liberia as part of the UN Peace Keeping Force.The commission also noted with appreciation the establishment of the African Parliament and the commissioning of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU).Furthermore, the commission expressed the hope that other mechanisms provided for in the Protocol on the Peace and Security Council of AU will be implemented.It stressed: “The commission noted with concern the violation of the Angolan borders by foreign nationals who enter into Angola in large numbers to illicitly explore and trade in diamonds.”The statement indicated that the commission noted with appreciation the successful elections in South Africa, Malawi as well as the electoral process in Namibia, hoping that democracy in the country would be strengthened during the November 2004 Presidential, Parliamentary and Regional Council elections.- NampaThe commission noted with concern the deteriorating security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially the recent attempted coup and the occupation of Bukavu by rebels in the eastern part of that country which poses a threat to peace efforts in the region.The commission therefore supports all initiatives aimed at implementing the DRC Peace Accord.The statement highlighted that the commission expressed appreciation made by the UN and African countries to reach peace and stability in Africa, adding that the commission commended the deployment of a NDF Battalion in Liberia as part of the UN Peace Keeping Force.The commission also noted with appreciation the establishment of the African Parliament and the commissioning of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU).Furthermore, the commission expressed the hope that other mechanisms provided for in the Protocol on the Peace and Security Council of AU will be implemented.It stressed: “The commission noted with concern the violation of the Angolan borders by foreign nationals who enter into Angola in large numbers to illicitly explore and trade in diamonds.”The statement indicated that the commission noted with appreciation the successful elections in South Africa, Malawi as well as the electoral process in Namibia, hoping that democracy in the country would be strengthened during the November 2004 Presidential, Parliamentary and Regional Council elections.- Nampa