Originally published in the Informanté newspaper on Thursday, July 16, 2015.
Just a few days ago, a remarkable event in international
relations occurred – a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was signed at Vienna
between the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the European Union,
Germany, and Iran. This marks the beginning of the end of 36 years of sanctions
against the Islamic Republic of Iran, with far reaching consequences not only
for the world as a whole, but for Namibia in particular.
After all, Namibia has a long history with Iran. The
government of Iran acquired a 15% stake in the Rössing uranium mine back in
1976 – and they have maintained this stake throughout the period of sanctions.
And while Namibia will feel some relief from the up to 10% decline in long-term
oil prices expected from Iran’s renewed oil exports, it might be that some of
Iran’s US$ 100 billion in frozen assets and bank accounts that could be
reinvested here would make a bigger difference.
The Iranian embassy re-opened its doors here in Namibia a
scant two years ago, in July 2013, with the express intent to expand bilateral
relations, and their foreign minister specifically noting Iran’s experience in
infrastructure development. Yet it is perhaps ironic that it is the specific
topic and application of the new agreement that could come to benefit Namibia
the most.
In terms of the agreement, Iran’s nuclear stockpile will be
reduced, and its nuclear enrichment programme’s significantly curtailed, with a
concurrent reduction in the centrifuges and facilities currently in operation.
At the same time, the Namibian Ministry of Mines and Energy
is continuing on its quest to develop the nuclear industry in Namibia. In
addition, the Namibian Government as a whole remains fully committed to
developing local industries, with Export Processing Zone enterprise licenses
being a powerful incentive. With the stated aim of these EPZ’s being the local
processing of resources, developing local industry and training Namibian
workers, it should come as no surprise that Namibia also intends to enrich
Uranium locally.
Since Namibia is already a signatory to the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, with our own established Atomic Energy
Board, and supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agency, it is in a
rather unique position to benefit from these recent developments. As Namibia is
the world’s fourth-largest producer of uranium, it is only natural that Namibia
take its place as an energy hub for Africa. And the Namibian people remain
protected by its highest law: The Constitution of the Republic of Namibia.
After all, paragraph L of Article 95 of the Namibian constitution expressly
states: “in particular, the Government
shall provide measures against the dumping or recycling of foreign nuclear and
toxic waste on Namibian territory.”
And yet, it is the very next article of the constitution
that has enabled this opportunity. Article 96 of the Constitution reads as
follows: “The State shall endeavour to
ensure that in its international relations it: a. adopts and maintains a policy
of non-alignment; b. promotes international cooperation, peace and security; c.
creates and maintains just and mutually beneficial relations among nations; d.
fosters respect for international law and treaty obligations; e. encourages the
settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.”
With the international community first relaxing its stance
towards Cuba, and now following with Iran, it seems Namibia has always lead the
way in establishing peaceful relations with what could be termed ‘belligerent’
nations. With President Geingob’s already established expertise in
international relations, perhaps the time has come for Namibia to step into the
spotlight, and lead the way in reintegrating Iran with the global community.
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