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President Hifikepunye Pohamba wins the 2014 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership
by MIF | 2 March, 2015
President Hifikepunye Pohamba has been named as the winner of the 2014 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. Established in 2007, the Ibrahim Prize recognises and celebrates excellence in African leadership. The Ibrahim Prize aims to encourage leaders who fully dedicate their tenure of office to surmount the development challenges of their countries, improving the livelihoods and welfare of their people and consolidating the foundation for sustainable development.
Announcing the 2014 Ibrahim Laureate in front of an audience of the diplomatic community, civil society representatives and the media at a press conference in Nairobi, Salim Ahmed Salim, the Chair of the Prize Committee, said: "President Pohamba's focus in forging national cohesion and reconciliation at a key stage of Namibia's consolidation of democracy and social and economic development impressed the Prize Committee. His ability to command the confidence and the trust of his people is exemplary. During the decade of his Presidential mandate, he demonstrated sound and wise leadership. At the same time, he maintained his humility throughout his Presidency."
Salim Ahmed Salim went on to praise President Pohamba's commitment to democracy and governance. He said: "During the decade of Hifikepunye Pohamba's Presidency, Namibia's reputation has been cemented as a well-governed, stable and inclusive democracy with strong media freedom and respect for human rights."
30 JANUARY 2015 ADDIS ABABA
*Check Against Delivery
Your Excellency, the Chairperson of the African Union;
(...)
Ten years ago, I addressed this august Assembly for the first time as the second President of the Republic of Namibia. Today, I bid farewell to Your Excellencies.
During the 4th General Elections held in November last year, Dr. Hage Geingob was elected the third president of Namibia. I now take this opportunity to invite you to witness his inauguration on 21 March 2015. I also request Your Excellencies to extend to him the same courtesies and support you accorded to me.
Your Excellencies,
My interaction with the African Union dates back to the days of the founding of the Organization of African Unity. I pay tribute to the visionary founders of the OAU and reiterate our honour to its historic role and commitment to the liberation of our continent from colonial bondage.
I bid farewell to this Assembly with fond memories of friendship and solidarity. I am firmly convinced that AU programmes aimed at accelerating the socio-economic development of our continent will bear the desired results.
It is also my conviction that in order to achieve our continent's development goals and objectives, African leaders must act boldly and in unity, to further consolidate peace and security; defeat terrorism; eradicate poverty; expand infrastructure development; improve food security; and modernize our education and health systems. Read More
DATE: FEBRUARY 2, 2015
VENUE: CONSTITUTION ROOM OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
NEW YEAR MESSAGE FOR 2015 BY HIS EXCELLENCY HIFIKEPUNYE POHAMBA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA, Dec 31, 2014
CUBA AND THE USA NORMALISE RELATIONS
The Government of the Republic of Namibia welcomes the simultaneous and historic announcement by President Raul Castro of the Republic of Cuba and President Barack Obama of the United States to re-establish full diplomatic relations between their two countries after a break of more than half a century.
Their decision has demonstrated political courage, statesmanship and foresight. The Government of Namibia also welcomes the exchange of prisoners between the two countries.
The re-establishment of full diplomatic relations between the two countries closes a chapter characterized by cold war anachronism. It also opens a new era of co-operation based on mutual respect for the independence and sovereignty of each country.
The Government of the Republic of Namibia, like the overwhelming majority of UN member states, has consistently been calling for the removal of economic, financial and commercial blockade on Cuba and the normalization of trade between the two countries.
In the spirit of this historic decision, the Government of Namibia calls on the US Congress to follow the bold leadership of President Obama and repeal all legislations on the economic and financial blockade on Cuba and any other forms of sanctions or restrictions against Cuba.
The normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States has indisputably proven that mighty tide of contemporary mutual relations cannot be stopped.
The Government of Namibia expresses its admiration for and solidarity with the Government and fraternal people of Cuba for their steadfastness and courage in the face of the economic blockade that retarded their development and created unnecessary hardships.
Issue by Ministry of Foreign Affairs