Namibia’s 21st century foreign relations perspective

As Dr Anton Bosl would point out, Namibia is neither geographically nor politically an island or otherwise isolated, but rather an integral part of the Southern African region, an active member of the African Union (AU) and a sovereign member state within the international community.

It is from this perspective that one would come to understand Namibian politics of independence and interdependence, especially taking into account the preindependence, independence and postindependence eras. Namibia has always been embedded in social, historic, economic and political relations and interactions with its neighbours in the region and beyond.

Foreign relations as an affair of international politics have always impacted on every citizen’s life because it determines the sustainability of the country and the economic perspectives of its citizens. In educating Namibian citizens on international politics, it is, therefore, relevant to reflect on the country’s foreign relations in order to gain a wider understanding. With the introduction of the concept of nation states and democracy as it were in the past, through international influence Namibia became a nation state.

The former colonial powers had determined the history, status and management of Namibia’s foreign affairs, its norms, values and interests as well as strategic objectives. Namibia gained its sovereignty during a global epoch when hardly any challenge could be resolved anymore by countries acting unilaterally. It is, therefore, to be understood from this perspective that those preaching about independence based solely on the “barrelof a gun narrative” are shallow political animals trying to survive on cheap political rhetoric. The role of the barrel of a gun with regards to Namibia’s independence cannot, however, be ruled out entirely. As an independent state represented by a government with authority over a territory and its population, with the capacity to enter into and maintain relations with other sovereign states and supranational organisations, the package of international relations came by and is shaped by former colonial powers. The existence of the international order was mainly shaped by the Second World War.

Namibia’s foreign relations and the principles, policies and formulations on which those relations depend have been shaped significantly by the diplomatic and armed struggle to achieve political independence. South African historian Chris Saunders clearly pointed out Namibia’s preindependence diplomacy as focusing on formal diplomatic activities by Namibians between 1945 until 1990. Saunders reminds us about the petitioning of Namibian traditional leaders before 1945 at the League of Nations, the forerunner to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva.

Namibia’s pre-independence diplomacy was formative for its foreign policy as well as foreign relations in the post-independence period by providing identity as an element of political continuity, and a firm foundation for its international standing.

It’s obvious that in the drafting and crafting of the Namibian constitution as a supreme law, its content and character bows down to international standards set by former colonisers. Despite the 1990 independence, the colonial powers still have much say in the Namibian economy and politics for as long as Namibia remains a child of the international community, a reality we cannot ignore and live without.

Namibia’s former colonisers, who also happen to be the new colonisers, have dismally shaped the strategic outlook of the country’s international relations.

Namibia’s (via Swapo) historic diplomatic relations with China (via China’s Communist Party), the relationship between Swapo and UNITA during the liberation struggle and later with the MPLA, SWAPO’s relationship with the ANC of South Africa, ZANU-PF of Zimbabwe and the persistent diplomatic efforts by Swapo leaders which led to the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 435 in 1978, which via UNTAG paved the way for independence in 1990, have all influenced our foreign policies and ultimately Namibia’s international/ foreign relations.

Namibia is standing on a decadesold strong foundation on international relations, which in many cases influences domestic policies. We really have a lot to do if Namibia has to change its foundation on foreign/international relations.