Namibia

 

Bureau of African Affairs                                                     
July 2007                                                                     
                                                                       
  Background Note: Namibia                                                    
                                              
  Elephants and a gazelle drink at a                                          
  water hole in Etosha National Park,                                         
  Namibia, September 23, 2004. [© AP                                          
  Images]                                                                     
                                                                       
  Flag of Namibia is a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst filling the 
  upper left section and an equal green triangle (solid) filling the lower    
  right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted
  by two narrow white-edge borders.                                           
                                                                       
  PROFILE                                                                     
                                                                       
  OFFICIAL NAME:                                                              
  Republic of Namibia                                                         
                                                                       
  Geography                                                                   
  Area: 823,145 sq. km. (320,827 sq. mi.); the size of Texas and Louisiana    
  combined.                                                                   
  Cities: Capital--Windhoek (2001 census) pop. 233,529. Other cities          
  --Grootfontein, Katima Mulilo, Keetmanshoop, Luderitz, Ondangwa, Oranjemund,
  Oshakati, Otjiwarongo, Swakopmund, Tsumeb, Walvis Bay.                      
  Terrain: Varies from coastal desert to semiarid mountains and plateau.      
  Climate: Semidesert and high plateau.                                       
                                                                       
  People                                                                      
  Nationality: Noun and adjective--Namibian(s).                               
  Population (2002 est.): 1.8 million.                                        
  Annual growth rate (2004 est.): 0.9%. The population growth rate is depressed
  by an HIV/AIDS prevalence rate estimated to be 22.3%.                       
  Ethnic groups: Black 87%; white 6%; mixed race 7%. About 50% of the         
  population belong to Ovambo ethnic group, and 9% to the Kavango ethnic group.
  Other ethnic groups are: Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, San 3%,
  Baster 2%, and Tswana 0.5%.                                                 
  Religions: Predominantly Christian; also indigenous beliefs.                
  Languages: English (official); Afrikaans, German, Oshivambo, Herero, Nama/  
  Damara, other indigenous languages.                                         
  Education: Years compulsory--to age 16. Attendance (2001)--82%. Literacy    
  (adults, 2003)--81%.                                                        
  Work force (2002 est.): 200,000.                                            
                                                                       
  Government                                                                  
  Type: Republic.                                                             
  Independence:  March 21, 1990.                                              
  Branches: Executive--president (elected for 5-year term), prime minister.   
  Legislative--bicameral Parliament: National Assembly and National Council.  
  Judicial--Supreme Court, the High Court, and lower courts.                  
  Subdivisions: 13 administrative regions.                                    
  Major political parties: South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO),   
  Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA), United Democratic Front of Namibia     
  (UDF), Congress of Democrats (COD), Republican Party (RP), National Unity   
  Democratic Organization (NUDO), Monitor Action Group (MAG).                 
  Suffrage: Universal adult.                                                  
                                                                       
  Economy                                                                     
  GDP (2004): $5.5 billion.                                                   
  Annual growth rate (2004): 4.2%.                                            
  Per capita GNI (2004): $2,370.                                              
  Inflation rate (2004): 3.9%.                                                
  Natural resources: Diamonds, copper, gold, uranium, lead, tin, zinc, salt,  
  vanadium, fisheries, and wildlife.                                          
  Agriculture (9.6% of GDP, 2003): Products--beef and meat products, fish and 
  fish products, grapes, wool.                                                
  Mining (6.8% of GDP, 2003): Gem-quality diamonds, zinc, copper, other.      
  Trade: Exports (2004)--$1.6 billion: diamonds, copper, lead, uranium, beef, 
  cattle, fish, karakul pelts. Imports (2004)--$2.3 billion: foodstuffs,      
  construction material, manufactured goods. Major partners--South Africa,    
  Angola, Botswana, Germany, U.K., U.S.                                       
                                                                       
  PEOPLE                                                                      
  Namibians are of diverse ethnic origins. The principal groups are the Ovambo,
  Kavango, Herero/Himba, Damara, mixed race ("colored" and Rehoboth Baster),  
  white (Afrikaner, German, and Portuguese), Nama, Caprivian, San, and Tswana.
                                                                       
  The Ovambo make up about half of Namibia's people. The Ovambo, Kavango, and 
  East Caprivian peoples, who occupy the relatively well-watered and wooded   
  northern part of the country, are settled farmers and herders. Historically,
  these groups had little contact with the Nama, Damara, and Herero, who roamed
  the central part of the country vying for control of sparse pastureland.    
  German colonial rule destroyed the war-making ability of the tribes but did 
  not erase their identities or traditional organization. People from the more
  populous north have settled throughout the country in recent decades as a   
  result of urbanization, industrialization, and the demand for labor.        
                                                                       
  Missionary work during the 1800s drew many Namibians to Christianity. While 
  most Namibian Christians are Lutheran, there also are Roman Catholic,       
  Methodist, Anglican, Jewish, African Methodist Episcopal, and Dutch Reformed
  Christians represented.                                                     
                                                                       
  Education and services have been extended in varying degrees to most rural  
  areas in recent years. The estimated adult literacy rate of Namibians was   
  relatively high at 81% as of 2003. However, although the national literacy  
  rate is estimated to be 81%, it is important to note that the number of     
  Namibians who are functionally literate and have the skills that the labor  
  market needs is significantly fewer.                                        
                                                                       
  HISTORY                                                                     
  The San are generally assumed to have been the earliest inhabitants of the  
  region. Later inhabitants include the Nama and the Damara or Berg Dama. The 
  Bantu-speaking Ovambo and Herero migrated from the north in about the 14th  
  century A.D.                                                                
                                                                       
  The inhospitable Namib Desert constituted a formidable barrier to European  
  exploration until the late 18th century, when successions of travelers,     
  traders, hunters, and missionaries explored the area. In 1878, the United   
  Kingdom annexed Walvis Bay on behalf of Cape Colony, and the area was       
  incorporated into the Cape of Good Hope in 1884. In 1883, a German trader,  
  Adolf Luderitz, claimed the rest of the coastal region after negotiations   
  with a local chief. Negotiations between the United Kingdom and Germany     
  resulted in Germany's annexation of the coastal region, excluding Walvis Bay.
  The following year, the United Kingdom recognized the hinterland up to 20   
  degrees east longitude as a German sphere of influence. A region later known
  as the Caprivi Strip became a part of South West Africa after an agreement on
  July 1, 1890, between the United Kingdom and Germany. The British recognized
  that the strip would fall under German administration to provide access to  
  the Zambezi River and German colonies in East Africa. In exchange, the      
  British received the islands of Zanzibar and Heligoland.                    
                                                                       
  German colonial power was consolidated, and prime grazing land passed to    
  white control as a result of the Herero and Nama wars of 1904-08. German    
  administration ended during World War I following South African occupation in
  1915.                                                                       
                                                                       
  On December 17, 1920, South Africa undertook administration of South West   
  Africa under the terms of Article 22 of the Covenant of the League of Nations
  and a mandate agreement by the League Council. The mandate agreement gave   
  South Africa full power of administration and legislation over the territory.
  It required that South Africa promote the material and moral well-being and 
  social progress of the people.                                              
                                                                       
  When the League of Nations was dissolved in 1946, the newly formed United   
  Nations inherited its supervisory authority for the territory. South Africa 
  refused UN requests to place the territory under a trusteeship agreement.   
  During the 1960s, as the European powers granted independence to their      
  colonies and trust territories in Africa, pressure mounted on South Africa to
  do so in Namibia, which was then known as South West Africa. In 1966, the UN
  General Assembly revoked South Africa's mandate.                            
                                                                       
  Also in 1966, the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) began its 
  armed struggle to liberate Namibia, in part from bases abroad. After Angola 
  became independent in 1975, SWAPO established bases in the southern part of 
  that country. Hostilities intensified over the years, particularly in the   
  north.                                                                      
                                                                       
  In a 1971 advisory opinion, the International Court of Justice upheld UN    
  authority over Namibia, determining that the South African presence in      
  Namibia was illegal and that South Africa therefore was obligated to withdraw
  its administration from Namibia immediately. The Court also advised UN member
  states to refrain from implying legal recognition or assistance to the South
  African presence.                                                           
                                                                       
  International Pressure for Independence                                     
  In 1977, Western members of the UN Security Council, including Canada,      
  France, the Federal Republic of Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United 
  States (known as the Western Contact Group), launched a joint diplomatic    
  effort to bring an internationally acceptable transition to independence for
  Namibia. Their efforts led to the presentation in April 1978 of Security    
  Council Resolution 435 for settling the Namibian problem. The proposal, known
  as the UN Plan, was worked out after lengthy consultations with South Africa,
  the front-line states (Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and  
  Zimbabwe), SWAPO, UN officials, and the Western Contact Group. It called for
  the holding of elections in Namibia under UN supervision and control, the   
  cessation of all hostile acts by all parties, and restrictions on the       
  activities of South African and Namibian military, paramilitary, and police.
                                                                       
  South Africa agreed to cooperate in achieving the implementation of         
  Resolution 435. Nonetheless, in December 1978, in defiance of the UN        
  proposal, it unilaterally held elections in Namibia that were boycotted by  
  SWAPO and a few other political parties. South Africa continued to administer
  Namibia through its installed multiracial coalitions. Negotiations after 1978
  focused on issues such as supervision of elections connected with the       
  implementation of the UN Plan.                                              
                                                                       
  Negotiations and Transition                                                 
  Intense discussions between the concerned parties continued during the      
  1978-88 period, with the UN Secretary General's Special Representative,     
  Martti Ahtisaari, playing a key role. The 1982 Constitutional Principles,   
  agreed upon by the front-line states, SWAPO, and the Western Contact Group  
  created the framework for Namibia's democratic constitution.                
                                                                       
  In May 1988, a U.S. mediation team, headed by Assistant Secretary of State  
  for African Affairs Chester A. Crocker, brought negotiators from Angola,    
  Cuba, and South Africa, and observers from the Soviet Union together in     
  London. Intense diplomatic maneuvering characterized the next 7 months, as  
  the parties worked out agreements to bring peace to the region and make     
  implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 435 possible. On December  
  13, Cuba, South Africa, and the People's Republic of Angola agreed to a total
  Cuban troop withdrawal from Angola. The protocol also established a Joint   
  Commission, consisting of the parties with the United States and the Soviet 
  Union as observers, to oversee implementation of the accords. A bilateral   
  agreement between Cuba and the People's Republic of Angola was signed in New
  York on December 22, 1988. On the same day a tripartite agreement, in which 
  the parties recommended initiation of the UN Plan on April 1 and the Republic
  of South Africa agreed to withdraw its troops, was signed. Implementation of
  Resolution 435 officially began on April 1, 1989, when South                
  African-appointed Administrator Gen. Louis Pienaar officially began         
  administrating the territory's transition to independence. Special          
  Representative Martti Ahtisaari arrived in Windhoek to begin performing his 
  duties as head of the UN Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG).               
                                                                       
  The transition got off to a shaky start on April 1 because, in contravention
  to SWAPO President Sam Nujoma's written assurances to the UN Secretary      
  General to abide by a cease-fire and repatriate only unarmed insurgents,    
  about 2,000 armed members of the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN),
  SWAPO's military wing, crossed the border from Angola in an apparent attempt
  to establish a military presence in northern Namibia. The Special           
  Representative authorized a limited contingent of South African troops to aid
  the South West African police in restoring order. A period of intense       
  fighting followed, during which 375 PLAN fighters were killed. At Mt. Etjo, a
  game park outside Windhoek, in a special meeting of the Joint Commission on 
  April 9, a plan was put in place to confine the South African forces to base
  and return PLAN elements to Angola. While the problem was solved, minor     
  disturbances in the north continued throughout the transition period. In    
  October, under order of the UN Security Council, Pretoria demobilized members
  of the disbanded counterinsurgency unit, Koevoet (Afrikaans for "crowbar"), 
  who had been incorporated into the South West African police.               
                                                                       
  The 11-month transition period went relatively smoothly. Political prisoners
  were granted amnesty, discriminatory legislation was repealed, South Africa 
  withdrew all its forces from Namibia, and some 42,000 refugees returned     
  safely and voluntarily under the auspices of the Office of the UN High      
  Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Almost 98% of registered voters turned out
  to elect members of the Constituent Assembly. The elections were held in    
  November 1989 and were certified as free and fair by the Special            
  Representative, with SWAPO taking 57% of the vote, just short of the        
  two-thirds necessary to have a free hand in drafting the constitution. The  
  Democratic Turnhalle Alliance, the opposition party, received 29% of the    
  vote. The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on November 21 and its
  first act unanimously resolved to use the 1982 Constitutional Principles as 
  the framework for Namibia's new constitution.                               
                                                                       
  By February 9, 1990, the Constituent Assembly had drafted and adopted a     
  constitution. March 21, independence day, was attended by Secretary of State
  James A. Baker III, who represented President George H.W. Bush. On that same
  day, he inaugurated the U.S. Embassy in Windhoek in recognition of the      
  establishment of diplomatic relations.                                      
                                                                       
  On March 1, 1994, the coastal enclave of Walvis Bay and 12 offshore islands 
  were transferred to Namibia by South Africa. This followed 3 years of       
  bilateral negotiations between the two governments and the establishment of a
  transitional Joint Administrative Authority (JAA) in November 1992 to       
  administer the 300-square mile territory. The peaceful resolution of this   
  territorial dispute, which dated back to 1878, was praised by the United    
  States and the international community, as it fulfilled the provisions of UN
  Security Council 432 (1978) which declared Walvis Bay to be an integral part
  of Namibia.                                                                 
                                                                       
  GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS                                         
  Namibia is a multiparty, multiracial democracy, with a president who is     
  elected for 5-year term. The constitution establishes a bicameral Parliament
  and provides for general elections every 5 years and regional elections every
  6 years. Members of the 72-seat National Assembly are elected on a party list
  system on a proportional basis. Members of the 26-seat National Council are 
  elected from within popularly elected Regional Councils. The three branches 
  of government are subject to checks and balances, and provision is made for 
  judicial review. The judicial structure in Namibia largely parallels that of
  South Africa and comprises a Supreme Court, the High Court, and lower courts.
  Roman-Dutch law has been the common law of the territory since 1919.        
  Namibia's unitary government is currently in the process of decentralization.
                                                                       
  The constitution provides for the private ownership of property and for human
  rights protections, and states that Namibia should have a mixed economy and 
  encourage foreign investment.                                               
                                                                       
  Sam Nujoma, leader of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO),  
  was President from Namibia's independence in 1990 until 2005. In November   
  2004, citizens elected Minister of Lands, Resettlement and Rehabilitation   
  Hifikepunye Pohamba to be the next President. Pohamba was inaugurated in    
  March 2005 in conjunction with celebrations marking the country's fifteenth 
  anniversary. International and domestic observers agreed the 2004 elections 
  were generally free and well administered despite some irregularities.      
  Pohamba was elected President with 76.4% of the vote. SWAPO won 55 of the 72
  elected seats in the National Assembly. Six opposition parties won a total of
  17 seats, including the Congress of Democrats party, which won the largest  
  number of opposition votes; the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance; the National 
  Unity Democratic Organization; the United Democratic Front; the Republican  
  Party; and the Monitor Action Group.                                        
                                                                       
  Principal Government Officials                                              
  President--Hifikepunye Pohamba                                              
  Prime Minister--Nahas Angula                                                
  Deputy Prime Minister--Libertina Amathila                                   
  National Assembly Speaker--Theo-Ben Gurirab                                 
  National Council Chairperson--Asser Kapere                                  
  Minister of Foreign Affairs--Marco Hausiku                                  
  Minister of Defense--Major General Charles Namoloh                          
  National Planning Commission Director--Helmut Angula                        
  Namibia Central Intelligence Service Director--Lukas Hangula                
  Minister of Education--Nangolo Mbumba                                       
  Minister of Finance--Saara Kuugongelwa                                      
  Minister of Safety and Security--Peter Tsheehama                            
  Minister of Trade and Industry--Immanuel Ngatjizeko                         
  Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration--Rosalia Nghindinwa                
  Minister of Information and Broadcasting--Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah            
  Minister of Justice--Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana                                
  Minster of Mines and Energy--Erkki Nghimtina                                
  Minister of Labor and Social Welfare--Alpheus Naruseb                       
  Minister of Health and Social Service--Richard Kamwi                        
  Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Forestry--Nickey Iyambo                 
  Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources--Abraham Iyambo                  
  Minister of Environment and Tourism--Willem Konjore                         
  Minister of Lands and Resettlement--Jerry Ekandjo                           
  Minister of Regional and Local Government and Housing-- John Pandeni        
  Minister of Works, Transport and Communication-Joel Kaapanda                
  Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare--Marlene Mungunda             
  Minister of Youth and National Service--John Mutorwa                        
  Ambassador to UN--Martin Andjaba                                            
  Ambassador to U.S.--Patrick Nandago                                         
                                                                       
  Namibia maintains an embassy in the United States at 1605 New Hampshire Ave.,
  NW, Washington DC 20009 (tel: (202) 986-0540; fax: (202) 986-0443).         
                                                                       
  ECONOMY                                                                     
  The Namibian economy has a modern market sector, which produces most of the 
  country's wealth, and a traditional subsistence sector. Namibia's gross     
  domestic product (GDP) per capita is relatively high among developing       
  countries but obscures one of the most unequal income distributions on the  
  African continent. Although the majority of the population depends on       
  subsistence agriculture and herding, Namibia has more than 200,000 skilled  
  workers, as well as a small, well-trained professional and managerial class.
                                                                       
  The country's sophisticated formal economy is based on capital-intensive    
  industry and farming. However, Namibia's economy is heavily dependent on the
  earnings generated from primary commodity exports in a few vital sectors,   
  including minerals, livestock, and fish. Furthermore, the Namibian economy  
  remains integrated with the economy of South Africa, as the bulk of Namibia's
  imports originate there.                                                    
                                                                       
  Since independence, the Namibian Government has pursued free-market economic
  principles designed to promote commercial development and job creation to   
  bring disadvantaged Namibians into the economic mainstream. To facilitate   
  this goal, the government has actively courted donor assistance and foreign 
  investment. The liberal Foreign Investment Act of 1990 provides for freedom 
  from nationalization, freedom to remit capital and profits, currency        
  convertibility, and a process for settling disputes equitably.              
                                                                       
  Namibia is part of the Common Monetary Area (CMA) comprising Lesotho,       
  Swaziland, and South Africa. Both the South African rand and the Namibian   
  dollar are legal tender in Namibia, but the Namibian dollar is not accepted 
  in South Africa. As a result of the CMA agreement, the scope for independent
  monetary policy in Namibia is limited. The Bank of Namibia regularly follows
  actions taken by the South African central bank.                            
                                                                       
  Given its small domestic market but favorable location and a superb transport
  and communications base, Namibia is a leading advocate of regional economic 
  integration. In addition to its membership in the Southern African          
  Development Community (SADC), Namibia presently belongs to the Southern     
  African Customs Union (SACU) with South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, and      
  Swaziland. Within SACU, no tariffs exist on goods produced in and moving    
  among the member states. SACU is currently negotiating a Free Trade Agreement
  with the United States--the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. The SACU
  Secretariat is located in Windhoek.                                         
                                                                       
  Over 80% of Namibia's imports originate in South Africa, and many Namibian  
  exports are destined for the South African market or transit that country.  
  Outside of South Africa, the EU (primarily the U.K.) is the chief market for
  Namibian exports. Namibia's exports consist mainly of diamonds and other    
  minerals, fish products, beef and meat products, grapes and light           
  manufactures. Under the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA),     
  apparel exports are rapidly growing.                                        
                                                                       
  Namibia is seeking to diversify its trading relationships away from its heavy
  dependence on South African goods and services. Europe has become a leading 
  market for Namibian fish and meat, while mining concerns in Namibia have    
  purchased heavy equipment and machinery from Germany, the United Kingdom, the
  United States, and Canada. The Government of Namibia is actively taking     
  advantage of AGOA, which will provide preferential access to U.S. markets for
  a long list of products. Since early 2002 several apparel manufacturers have
  invested in assembly facilities, generating thousands of jobs. At full      
  production, these apparel plants are expected to export on an annual basis  
  over $100 million worth of apparel products to the United States.           
                                                                       
  In 1993, Namibia became a General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)     
  signatory, and the Minister of Trade and Industry represented Namibia at the
  Marrakech signing of the Uruguay Round Agreement in April 1994. Namibia has 
  been a member of the World Trade Organization since its creation in 1995 and
  is a strong proponent of the Doha Development Agenda announced at the Fourth
  Ministerial Conference in Doha, Qatar, in November 2001. Namibia also is a  
  member of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and           
  participates in the European Union's Cotonou Agreement.                     
                                                                       
  Mining and Energy                                                           
  Mining contributed approximately 7% of GDP in 2003. Diamond mining activities
  alone represented more than 5%. Diamond production totaled 1.5 million carats
  in 2002, generating over $500 million in export earnings. Other important   
  mineral resources are uranium, copper, lead, and zinc. Anglo American's $454
  million Skorpion zinc mine, which opened in 2003, is projected to produce   
  12,500 tons of pure zinc per month. The country also is a source of gold,   
  silver, tin, vanadium, semiprecious gemstones, tantalite, phosphate, sulfur,
  and salt.                                                                   
                                                                       
  During the pre-independence period, large areas of Namibia, including       
  offshore, were leased for oil prospecting. Natural gas was discovered in 1974
  in the Kudu Field off the mouth of the Orange River. The field is thought to
  contain reserves of over 1.3 trillion cubic feet. A decision to develop the 
  field or not was expected in 2005. Offshore exploration licenses have been  
  issued. Plans have been put forward to build the country's first combined   
  cycle power station near Oranjemund.  Government officials have warned that 
  in the absence of new domestic sources of energy, Namibia will face power   
  shortages as early as 2007.                                                 
                                                                       
  Agriculture                                                                 
  Although Namibian agriculture--excluding fishing--contributed less than 5% of
  Namibia's GDP in 2003, about 70% of the Namibian population depends on      
  agricultural activities for livelihood, mostly in the subsistence sector. In
  2003, food and live animal exports constituted roughly 15% of total Namibian
  exports.                                                                    
                                                                       
  In the largely white-dominated commercial sector, agriculture consists      
  primarily of livestock ranching. Cattle raising is predominant in the central
  and northern regions, while karakul sheep, goat, and ostrich farming are    
  concentrated in the more arid southern regions. Subsistence farming is      
  confined to the "communal lands" of the country's populous north, where     
  roaming cattle herds are prevalent and the main crops are millet, sorghum,  
  corn, and peanuts. Table grapes, grown mostly along the Orange River in the 
  country's arid south, are becoming an increasingly important commercial crop
  and a significant employer of seasonal labor.                               
                                                                       
  The government's land reform policy is shaped by two key pieces of          
  legislation: the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act 6 of 1995 and the
  Communal Land Reform Act 5 of 2002. The government remains committed to a   
  "willing seller, willing buyer" approach to land reform and to providing just
  compensation as directed by the Namibian constitution. As the government    
  addresses the vital land and range management questions, water use issues and
  availability are considered.                                                
                                                                       
  Fishing                                                                     
  The clean, cold South Atlantic waters off the coast of Namibia are home to  
  some of the richest fishing grounds in the world, with the potential for    
  sustainable yields of up to 1.5 million metric tons per year. Commercial    
  fishing and fish processing is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the    
  Namibian economy in terms of employment, export earnings, and contribution to
  GDP.                                                                        
                                                                       
  The main species found in abundance off Namibia are pilchards (sardines),   
  anchovy, hake, and horse mackerel. There also are smaller but significant   
  quantities of sole, squid, deep-sea crab, rock lobster, and tuna. However, at
  the time of independence, fish stocks had fallen to dangerously low levels  
  due to the lack of protection and conservation of the fisheries and the     
  overexploitation of these resources. This trend appears to have been halted 
  and reversed since independence, as the Namibian Government is now pursuing a
  conservative resource management policy along with an aggressive fisheries  
  enforcement campaign.                                                       
                                                                       
  Manufacturing and Infrastructure                                            
  In 2004, Namibia's manufacturing sector contributed about 11% of GDP.       
  Namibian manufacturing has historically been inhibited by a small domestic  
  market, dependence on imported goods, limited supply of local capital, widely
  dispersed population, small skilled labor force and high relative wage rates,
  and subsidized competition from South Africa. As of early 2004, AGOA had    
  brought close to $300 million in investment and over 9,000 jobs in the      
  textile industry.                                                           
                                                                       
  Walvis Bay has a well-developed, deepwater port, considered by many the best
  in Western Africa, and Namibia's fishing infrastructure is most heavily     
  concentrated there. The Namibian Government expects Walvis Bay to become an 
  important commercial gateway to the Southern African region.                
                                                                       
  Namibia also boasts modern civil aviation facilities and an extensive,      
  well-maintained land transportation network. Construction continues to expand
  two major arteries--the Trans-Caprivi and Trans-Kalahari Highways--which will
  further open up the region's access to Walvis Bay.                          
                                                                       
  Tourism                                                                     
  Tourism is a rapidly growing sector of the Namibian economy and a significant
  generator of employment. It is the third-largest source of foreign exchange 
  after mining and fisheries. Although the majority of Namibia's international
  visitors originate in the region, other international travelers are         
  increasingly attracted by the country's unique mix of political stability,  
  cultural diversity, and geographic beauty. Tourism in Namibia has had a     
  positive impact on resource conservation and rural development. Some 29     
  communal conservancies have been established across the country, resulting in
  enhanced land management while providing tens of thousands of rural Namibians
  with much needed income.                                                    
                                                                       
  Labor                                                                       
  While most Namibians are economically active in one form or another, the bulk
  of this activity is in the informal sector, primarily subsistence           
  agriculture. In the formal economy, official estimates of unemployment range
  from 30% to 40% of the work force. A large number of Namibians seeking jobs 
  in the formal sector are held back due to a lack of necessary skills or     
  training. The government is aggressively pursuing education reform to address
  this problem.                                                               
                                                                       
  Namibia's largest labor federation, the National Union of Namibian Workers  
  (NUNW) represents workers organized into seven affiliated trade unions. NUNW
  maintains a close affiliation with the ruling SWAPO party.                  
                                                                       
  In late 2004, Namibia passed a new "Labour Act" to replace legislation dating
  back to 1992. The law was to be stricter with respect to discrimination in  
  the workplace and was to establish new protections for pregnant workers as  
  well as employees infected with HIV/AIDS.                                   
                                                                       
  NATIONAL SECURITY                                                           
  The constitution defines the role of the military as "defending the territory
  and national interests." Following independence, Namibia formed the National
  Defense Force (NDF), comprised of former enemies in a 23-year bush war, the 
  PLAN and South West African territorial force. The British formulated the   
  force integration plan and began training the NDF, which consists of five   
  battalions and a small headquarters element. The UNTAG Kenyan infantry      
  battalion remained in Namibia for 3 months after independence to assist in  
  training the NDF and stabilize the north. According to the Namibian Defense 
  Ministry, enlistments of both men and women will number no more than 7,500. 
  The NDF has a modest air wing and a maritime wing. Namibia has contributed  
  900 troops to UN peacekeeping efforts in Liberia.                           
                                                                       
  Namibia has had defense cooperation at various levels with several countries,
  including the United States. It also participates in regional peacekeeping  
  efforts. The U.S. does not have an Article 98 agreement with Namibia.       
                                                                       
  FOREIGN RELATIONS                                                           
  Namibia follows a largely independent foreign policy, with lingering        
  affiliations with states that aided the independence struggle, including    
  Libya, the People's Republic of China, and Cuba.                            
                                                                       
  Namibia is developing trade and strengthening economic and political ties   
  within the Southern African region. A dynamic member of the Southern African
  Development Community and the Southern African Customs Union, Namibia is a  
  vocal advocate for greater regional integration.                            
                                                                       
  Namibia became the 160th member of the United Nations on April 23, 1990, and
  the 50th member of the British Commonwealth upon independence.              
                                                                       
  U.S.-NAMIBIAN RELATIONS                                                     
  U.S.-Namibian relations are good and continue to improve. Characterized by  
  shared democratic values, commitment to rule of law, and respect for human  
  rights, the bilateral relationship has been strengthened through trade ties 
  and U.S. assistance programs. Namibia has seized opportunities created by   
  AGOA and is currently involved in negotiating a Free Trade Agreement between
  the U.S. and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Namibia has been    
  included in President Bush's International Mother and Child HIV Initiative  
  and the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The U.S. Agency for International   
  Development's (USAID) bilateral presence in Namibia has been extended until 
  2010. In addition to the Embassy, the Centers for Disease Control, Peace    
  Corps, and the Defense Departments have offices in Windhoek.                
                                                                       
  Principal U.S. Embassy Officials                                            
  Ambassador--Joyce A. Barr                                                   
  Deputy Chief of Mission--Eric D. Benjaminson                                
  Public Affairs Officer--Ray Castillo                                        
  Political Officer--Mark J. Cassayre                                         
  Economic/Commercial Officer--Adrienne Galanek                               
  Consular Officer--John La Rochelle                                          
  USAID Director--Gary Newton                                                 
  Defense Attache--LTC Michael Kelley, USAF                                   
  Peace Corps Country Director--Hannah Baldwin                                
                                                                       
  The U.S. Embassy in Namibia is located at 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek        
  (tel. 61-295-8554).                                                         
                                                                       
  TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION                                             
  The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program advises Americans
  traveling and residing abroad through Consular Information Sheets, Public   
  Announcements, and Travel Warnings. Consular Information Sheets exist for all
  countries and include information on entry and exit requirements, currency  
  regulations, health conditions, safety and security, crime, political       
  disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.
  Public Announcements are issued to disseminate information quickly about    
  terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas that  
  pose significant risks to the security of American travelers. Travel Warnings
  are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel 
  to a certain country because the situation is dangerous or unstable.        
                                                                       
  For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad  
  should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet
  web site at http://www.travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution,
  Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Consular Affairs    
  Publications, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a
  safe trip abroad, are also available at http://www.travel.state.gov. For    
  additional information on international travel, see http://www.usa.gov/     
  Citizen/Topics/Travel/International.shtml.                                  
                                                                       
  The Department of State encourages all U.S citizens traveling or residing   
  abroad to register via the State Department's travel registration website or
  at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Registration will make your
  presence and whereabouts known in case it is necessary to contact you in an 
  emergency and will enable you to receive up-to-date information on security 
  conditions.                                                                 
                                                                       
  Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be obtained 
  by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or the regular   
  toll line 1-202-501-4444 for callers outside the U.S. and Canada.           
                                                                       
  The National Passport Information Center (NPIC) is the U.S. Department of   
  State's single, centralized public contact center for U.S. passport         
  information. Telephone: 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778). Customer service   
  representatives and operators for TDD/TTY are available Monday-Friday, 7:00 
  a.m. to 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.           
                                                                       
  Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for 
  Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP
  (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm give the
  most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements,
  and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries. A   
  booklet entitled "Health Information for International Travel" (HHS         
  publication number CDC-95-8280) is available from the U.S. Government       
  Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, tel. (202) 512-1800.                 
                                                                       
  Further Electronic Information                                              
  Department of State Web Site. Available on the Internet at http://          
  www.state.gov, the Department of State web site provides timely, global     
  access to official U.S. foreign policy information, including Background    
  Notes and daily press briefings along with the directory of key officers of 
  Foreign Service posts and more. The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)
  provides security information and regional news that impact U.S. companies  
  working abroad through its website http://www.osac.gov                      
                                                                       
  Export.gov provides a portal to all export-related assistance and market    
  information offered by the federal government and provides trade leads, free
  export counseling, help with the export process, and more.                  
  STAT-USA/Internet, a service of the U.S. Department of Commerce, provides   
  authoritative economic, business, and international trade information from  
  the Federal government. The site includes current and historical            
  trade-related releases, international market research, trade opportunities, 
  and country analysis and provides access to the National Trade Data Bank.   

 

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