The Namibian government is in support of a proposal by residents of the Impalila Islands to establish a border crossing point at Macenje Harbor, between Namibia and neighboring Zambia.

Namibia's Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Dr. Albert Kawana, assured the community of the Impalila Islands during a joint visit with his Zambian counterpart, Jacob Mwiimbu.

Kawana said the crossing point is assisting residents on both sides to trade as well as providing medical services to Namibians by the Zambian authority.

"They are families; these borders are colonial borders, artificial; these activities existed before even these artificial borders were demarcated or delimited. As the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, we are ready to accept the request of our community."

Kawana also said that residents on the island have from time to time made use of mortuary services in Zambian hospitals before transporting corpses to Katima Mulilo.

The Zambian minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Jacob Mwiimbu, on his part, stressed the importance of cooperation between the two countries.

"In order to facilitate the movement of our people, we on the Zambian side, as my colleague has already indicated on the Namibian side, are committed to ensuring that the facility on the Mamboba side, on the Zambian side, starts operating on a daily basis to facilitate the movement of our people."

The two ministers also visited Luhonono in the Kabbe North constituency, which borders Mwandi on the Zambian side.

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Photo Credits
Windhoek Observer

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Juliet Sibeso