Namibia wants border with Angola to remain permanently open

Lubango, ANGOLA, September 12 - Namibian ambassador to Angola Cláudia Uusshona has expressed her country's intention to see the two states border operating around the clock, in order to ensure better service for both cross-border peoples. ,

 

The diplomat was speaking Wednesday at the 20th Meeting of the Angola/Namibia Joint Commission on Defence and Security, started Monday in Lubango, southern Huila province.

 

Cláudia Uusshona spoke of the need to discuss this situation at the level of  Security and Defence Commission to allow more freedom of movement.

 

Angola/Namibia border is the most peaceful on the African continent, often characterised by cross-border conflicts, the diplomat added.

 

She stressed the fact of Angola/Namibia border to report few cases of human trafficking and robbery, compared to what  happens in the world.

 

"Our border is very peaceful. As example, if we have family members on the border who have problems of death or illness on each side, the border opens at night and in many African countries the situation does not exist," she stressed.

 

On cross-border trade, the diplomat said the two countries have agreed on exchange of money to enable the people from the two countries living on the border to make use of both currencies, Kwanzas (Angola) and Rand (Namibia), currently unworkable.

 

The diplomat also referred to the preparation by the two governments for construction of monument in Cassinga (Huíla) and Chitequela (Cunene) to pay tribute to the women killed in Cassinga battle, in Angola.

 

The diplomat described the relations between Angola and Namibia as excellent.

 

She added that two countries relations are boosted, among other factors, by the two Joint Commissions tasked with dealing with issues of culture, tourism, environment, water, agriculture and defence and security, said the Namibian ambassador.

 

Claudia Grace Uusshona highlighted the commercial exchanges in the provinces of Cunene, Cuando Cubango, Benguela and Huambo,  which, according to her, cover the fields of agriculture, energy and water.

 

The diplomat predicted the existence soon of an agreement between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries to address more complex issues that require the involvement of diplomacy.

 

Angola and Nambia share 1, 376 km border.

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