Namibia and Angola have issued a joint communiqué pertaining to the authorization of drought-plagued Namibian farmers to continue grazing their livestock in Angola.
This follows a meeting held in Angola last October where the importance of peaceful co-existence, particularly with respect to Namibian farmers grazing their cattle in Angola, was emphasised.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and Tete Antonio, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Angola, and their delegations met in Ondjiva for consultative talks to reaffirm the importance of peaceful coexistence between the two nations.
They also discussed the importance of Namibian farmers using Angolan pastures to observe and comply with the laws of that country to avoid destroying the good cooperation established for decades between the two governments.
The delegation also spoke about the importance of upholding their 1992 agreement, which highlights the free movement of people and goods along the border between the two countries.
After their meeting in Ondjiva, the two delegations met with thousands of cattle farmers who graze their livestock in Angola at Helao Nafidi Town in the Ohangwena Region.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, in her address, says Namibians can graze freely in Angola, provided they obey the laws of that country, and should first register themselves with the Angolan government.
She urged Namibians not to engage in activities that may put bilateral relations between the two countries in jeopardy, such as illegally fencing off large hectares of land and poaching.
Tete Antonio, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Angola, says Namibia and Angola enjoy great bilateral relations but was quick to point out that those found guilty of breaking the law will be brought to book.
Speaking on behalf of the Namibian farmers, Daniel Mbangula says the farmers have agreed to respect the laws of the country and called on the two governments to increase patrols along the common border to reduce stock theft instances.
Namibia has seven regions sharing common borders with Angola.
The two delegations also paid a courtesy call on Meekulu Martha Mwadinhomo Kristian ya Nelumbu at her palace before rounding off their engagements.