Namibia pushes for least developed country status

NAMIBIA is seeking to reclassify its position with the United Nations from lower middle-income to least developed country so as to access more donor aid.

Swapo Chief Whip Ben Amathila said this when French member of Parliament Senator Louis Duvernois paid a courtesy call on Speaker Theo-Ben Gurirab yesterday. Also present at the meeting was CoD President Ben Ulenga, who represented the opposition parties.Amathila said that Namibia needed “good friends in Europe” to help lobby for a reclassification of its status.He said its current status was despite having among the highest income disparity in the world.This status prevents more donor aid coming to Namibia, which it would enjoy with the status of ‘least developed country’.”We want this status changed and need friendly governments to support us,” Amathila noted.Duvernois and Gurirab reiterated the excellent relations between France and Namibia and acknowledged French development support.Duvernois, a former journalist, is also the treasurer of his parliament’s branch of the Parliamentary Assembly of French Speaking Countries.He said it would be important to have some exchange with MPs of Namibia.An opportunity to strengthen ties would come next month at the French-African Summit in France, which will be attended by Prime Minister Nahas Angula.Also present at the meeting was CoD President Ben Ulenga, who represented the opposition parties.Amathila said that Namibia needed “good friends in Europe” to help lobby for a reclassification of its status.He said its current status was despite having among the highest income disparity in the world.This status prevents more donor aid coming to Namibia, which it would enjoy with the status of ‘least developed country’.”We want this status changed and need friendly governments to support us,” Amathila noted.Duvernois and Gurirab reiterated the excellent relations between France and Namibia and acknowledged French development support.Duvernois, a former journalist, is also the treasurer of his parliament’s branch of the Parliamentary Assembly of French Speaking Countries.He said it would be important to have some exchange with MPs of Namibia.An opportunity to strengthen ties would come next month at the French-African Summit in France, which will be attended by Prime Minister Nahas Angula.