In Defence Of Wallie

“SHALL we make or mar, in defence of Wallie Roux.”

I have known Wallie Roux for some time now. We have always discussed major trade issues, especially the ongoing EPAs, WTO Law and Economics etc, and I must say his knowledge and analysis of the dynamics of international trade, be it legal, economic or policy issues, are second to none in Namibia.Small wonder he has chaired many roundtable discussions on EPAs and always a guest speaker on trade conferences in the sub-region.His four years of active publication in leading trade news briefs is salutary and worthy of praise and emulation.News of his suspension took me aback and at first, I thought it was a subject of a soap opera.I immediately phoned him and he confirmed it.Since then, we have been in touch on a very regular basis.As a trade lawyer and academic, I think his suspension was a bit harsh.First, I read his comments in the New Era and from every indication, he was writing/speaking in his personal capacity and not on behalf of Meatco, ATF or the Meat Board.Besides, Wallie raised issues whose veracity and accuracy have not been the subject of questions, be it in the academia or in the industry.It is a truism that EPAs would, at the short run, have untold repercussions on African countries/industries.Job loses de-industrialisation; de-agriculturalisation; dumping and other untold hardships would be the rule, rather than the exception in many sub-Saharan African countries.Dr.Meyn’s recent presentation is just a tip of the iceberg of what Namibia shall face should it conclude EPAs by the end of the year.In his writings/speeches, Wallie never took an anti EPA stand.He said, and I concur with him, that the deadline is neither feasible, justifiable nor sustainable in the present scheme of things, especially with regard to the SADC-EU EPA configuration.Problems such as the conundrum of the spaghetti-bowl syndrome; aligning the TDCA with SADC EPA without clearly defining the role of South Africa; presence of LDCs within the configuration; possibilities of new EPA configurations (SACU EU EPA and EAC EU EPA) which might split member states; problems of incorporating trade facilitation within the EPAs, make the SADC EPA configuration nothing less than unenviable.I have followed Wallie’s case very closely and I am inclined to thinking that pressure from some quarters orchestrated his suspension.I might not be right, but in all honesty, I think his comments were appropriate.The love-lost between Wallie and EU authorities is an open secret.I would not mention instances of schisms between the two as it might open the Pandora’s Box of claims and counter claims.However, memories of the Valentine Day imbroglio (during Prof Erasmus talk on EPAs and the Meat Industry in Namibia) wherein EU dismissed the possibility of a waiver and Wallie questioned the raison d’etre are still fresh.Suspending/dismissing Wallie would not solve the problems Meatco would face should the EPAs be concluded by the end of this year.Wallie is a seasoned trade expert and is of great value to Meatco.If anything, the temerity in which Meatco castigated and debunked his views is nothing short of ridiculous.In my opinion, Meatco’s decision could be likened to being “penny-wise, pound-foolish”.Wallie might not be irreplaceable, but for what I know, his verve, charisma and above all, research abilities would be greatly missed.I like the way we of this trade forum have responded to Wallie’s suspension.I believe Wallie now needs our moral support more than ever before.”A tout seigneur, tout honneur » – in defence of Wallie Roux! (I write this email in my personal capacity as Enga Kameni, trade and investment law analyst/consultant.Neither my permanent employer nor organisations I work for on part-time or on consultancy basis subscribe to this view.So, it should on no circumstances/occasion be ascribed to them.All errors in the piece are mine).Enga Kameni WindhoekWe have always discussed major trade issues, especially the ongoing EPAs, WTO Law and Economics etc, and I must say his knowledge and analysis of the dynamics of international trade, be it legal, economic or policy issues, are second to none in Namibia.Small wonder he has chaired many roundtable discussions on EPAs and always a guest speaker on trade conferences in the sub-region.His four years of active publication in leading trade news briefs is salutary and worthy of praise and emulation.News of his suspension took me aback and at first, I thought it was a subject of a soap opera.I immediately phoned him and he confirmed it.Since then, we have been in touch on a very regular basis.As a trade lawyer and academic, I think his suspension was a bit harsh.First, I read his comments in the New Era and from every indication, he was writing/speaking in his personal capacity and not on behalf of Meatco, ATF or the Meat Board.Besides, Wallie raised issues whose veracity and accuracy have not been the subject of questions, be it in the academia or in the industry.It is a truism that EPAs would, at the short run, have untold repercussions on African countries/industries.Job loses de-industrialisation; de-agriculturalisation; dumping and other untold hardships would be the rule, rather than the exception in many sub-Saharan African countries.Dr.Meyn’s recent presentation is just a tip of the iceberg of what Namibia shall face should it conclude EPAs by the end of the year.In his writings/speeches, Wallie never took an anti EPA stand.He said, and I concur with him, that the deadline is neither feasible, justifiable nor sustainable in the present scheme of things, especially with regard to the SADC-EU EPA configuration.Problems such as the conundrum of the spaghetti-bowl syndrome; aligning the TDCA with SADC EPA without clearly defining the role of South Africa; presence of LDCs within the configuration; possibilities of new EPA configurations (SACU EU EPA and EAC EU EPA) which might split member states; problems of incorporating trade facilitation within the EPAs, make the SADC EPA configuration nothing less than unenviable.I have followed Wallie’s case very closely and I am inclined to thinking that pressure from some quarters orchestrated his suspension.I might not be right, but in all honesty, I think his comments were appropriate. The love-lost between Wallie and EU authorities is an open secret.I would not mention instances of schisms between the two as it might open the Pandora’s Box of claims and counter claims.However, memories of the Valentine Day imbroglio (during Prof Erasmus talk on EPAs and the Meat Industry in Namibia) wherein EU dismissed the possibility of a waiver and Wallie questioned the raison d’etre are still fresh.Suspending/dismissing Wallie would not solve the problems Meatco would face should the EPAs be concluded by the end of this year.Wallie is a seasoned trade expert and is of great value to Meatco.If anything, the temerity in which Meatco castigated and debunked his views is nothing short of ridiculous.In my opinion, Meatco’s decision could be likened to being “penny-wise, pound-foolish”.Wallie might not be irreplaceable, but for what I know, his verve, charisma and above all, research abilities would be greatly missed.I like the way we of this trade forum have responded to Wallie’s suspension.I believe Wallie now needs our moral support more than ever before.”A tout seigneur, tout honneur » – in defence of Wallie Roux! (I write this email in my personal capacity as Enga Kameni, trade and investment law analyst/consultant.Neither my permanent employer nor organisations I work for on part-time or on consultancy basis subscribe to this view.So, it should on no circumstances/occasion be ascribed to them.All errors in the piece are mine). Enga Kameni Windhoek