President on a ‘travel binge’

WITH President Sam Nujoma barely back from a four-nation visit as of last week, his office has announced a string of trips they have lined up for him.

Just as he jetted in with his entourage from Brazil, Cuba, Ghana and Angola, the Ministry of Information issued a schedule for the President that will take him to the eastern reaches of the world. The latest trips are seen as a farewell visit to some of Nujoma’s long-lasting friends.The President is expected to leave for Ndola, Zambia, tomorrow to officiate at the International Trade Fair on invitation of that country’s President Levy Mwanawasa.He will return on Saturday from Zambia, rest for a day and leave for Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to attend the African Union (AU) Ordinary Assembly.He is expected to stay in Ethiopia until July 8.Although not yet confirmed, Nujoma’s entourage will proceed to Kenya from Ethiopia and hope to be there from July 8 to 10.The next stop will be a three-day state visit to Tanzania.The President will return to Namibia on July 10 for a short rest.On July 19, the next State visit – to the People’s Republic of China – is expected to kick off.He will be in China until July 26 and is expected to proceed to Malaysia on an official visit that will last until July 28.From July 29 to 31, the President will attend the Langkawi International Dialogue before returning home.The Information Ministry said the next trip would be to the SADC Summit in Mauritius from August 15 to 18 and would be followed by a State visit to Swaziland from August 19 to 21.The last item on the itinerary is the United Nations General Assembly in New York from September 18 to 22.While there, he will meet French President Jacques Chirac, Brazilian President Lula, President Lagos of Chile and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.The latest trips are seen as a farewell visit to some of Nujoma’s long-lasting friends.The President is expected to leave for Ndola, Zambia, tomorrow to officiate at the International Trade Fair on invitation of that country’s President Levy Mwanawasa.He will return on Saturday from Zambia, rest for a day and leave for Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to attend the African Union (AU) Ordinary Assembly.He is expected to stay in Ethiopia until July 8.Although not yet confirmed, Nujoma’s entourage will proceed to Kenya from Ethiopia and hope to be there from July 8 to 10.The next stop will be a three-day state visit to Tanzania.The President will return to Namibia on July 10 for a short rest.On July 19, the next State visit – to the People’s Republic of China – is expected to kick off.He will be in China until July 26 and is expected to proceed to Malaysia on an official visit that will last until July 28.From July 29 to 31, the President will attend the Langkawi International Dialogue before returning home.The Information Ministry said the next trip would be to the SADC Summit in Mauritius from August 15 to 18 and would be followed by a State visit to Swaziland from August 19 to 21.The last item on the itinerary is the United Nations General Assembly in New York from September 18 to 22.While there, he will meet French President Jacques Chirac, Brazilian President Lula, President Lagos of Chile and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.