Carter’s legacy for a better world will endure – Nujoma

Founding president Sam Nujoma described the late former United States of America (US) president Jimmy Carter as a peacemaker, whose efforts are an important reminder of what is possible, especially amid renewed conflicts in the world.

Nujoma in his condolence message to the bereaved family and the entire people of the US on Monday said, “Carter’s efforts to leave a better world behind and his legacy as a peacemaker and a humanitarian will endure”.

Carter, who died at the age of 100 on Sunday, served as the 39th US president from 1977 to 1981.

According to Nujoma, Carter worked tirelessly for a better world and was guided by a deep and abiding faith in humanity, and his leadership contributed significantly to world peace and security.

“He was a man of deeply held convictions and dignified the office of the president of the United States of America when he played a key role in conflict mediation, election monitoring, the promotion of democracy and disease prevention and eradication.

These and other efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002,” he said.

Nujoma added that, throughout his life, Carter embodied integrity, compassion and a commitment to advancing the freedom, security and welfare of others as witnessed in his foreign policy, including the landmark Camp David Accords, the SALT II Treaty and the Panama Canal Treaties.

“President Carter also showed us what can be achieved through tireless and principled diplomacy. We in Namibia, particularly, remember him when he came to power in January 1977 and inherited the legacy and Cold War game plan for southern Africa of Henry Alfred Kissinger, who served as United States Secretary of State from 1973 to 1977 and National Security Advisor from 1969 to 1975, in the presidential administrations of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford,” he said.

The Carter administration, Nujoma said, came in with a firm conviction that Namibia’s independence was achievable and believed in an end to colonial oppression, as well as democracy and reconciliation between black and white communities in the country.

“Allow me to – on behalf of the veterans of our national liberation struggle, my family and indeed on my own behalf – convey our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the Carter family for this irreparable loss,” Nujoma said.