Sweden-Namibia relations: The ties that bind

In an unprecedented yet understandable move, the Swedish government decided to close its embassy in Windhoek.

While Namibian officials and government players have expressed surprise at this closure, there is no need for speculation or to see anything mysterious about this. Sweden has been a pillar of support to the liberation movement (Swapo, Swanu, the National Union Namibian Workers, civil society inside Namibia, anti-apartheid student groups and many others) for decades before Independence in 1990.This came in the form of financial assistance, humanitarian support, medical aid, political solidarity in the decision-making forums of the world, and friendships that remain to this day.The guiding principles of co-operation and support for Namibia’s struggle to achieve independence was an acceptance that the majority of Namibians are the creators of their own destiny and should be making the decisions about the nature of the co-operation between Sweden and Namibia.Swedish humility and the country’s respect for our liberation intentions are now the stuff of legends and the signature of that government’s ability to take a back seat in the liberation of Africa and all its people.After Namibia’s Independence and once the afterglow of political freedom and choice settled into a more manageable sensation, political solidarity and co-operation necessarily had to assume different forms.Once the newly elected government settled in to tackle the arduous task of changing from a political movement into a political party running the government of a sovereign state, the relationship between Sweden and the new Namibia also changed.Whereas in previous decades and in the run-up to 1990, the relationship was defined by secrecy and the need to circumvent the then monolith of apartheid, transparency in transactions and deals with the new government of Namibia became the signature of Sweden’s continued solidarity.While the decision-making in Sweden is clearly the prerogative of the country’s government and its Cabinet, it does not require a rocket scientist to ascertain that the Swedish decision to close down its Windhoek embassy and concentrate on trade relations through the Swedish Trade Council is a move dictated by economic interests and a different type of partnership and solidarity.Namibia is richly endowed with natural resources.Global companies are lining up to explore and exploit the mineral-rich countryside.Governments are entering into bilaterals with the Namibian state to jointly manage mutually beneficial outcomes of common ventures in diamonds, fishing, uranium and platinum.This is as it should be.Namibia has a distance to travel to narrow the ever-widening gaps between the rich and the poor; between the haves and the have-nots; and between the different classes that make our society.Sweden is unapologetically social-democratic in its political philosophy and has been for many decades.Namibia’s ruling party has embraced a more liberal-democratic outlook in its management of the economy.This has meant that social services, delivery to the poor and starving, healthcare for the aged, education for the masses, have often been sacrificed on the altar of a rapacious free marketeering without a social conscience.If nothing else, Namibia has to learn from the Swedish experience in providing the best and most sophisticated services to the vast majority of its population.Friendships have to be worked on, and neglect is the surest sign that friendships are heading for trouble.The real test of friendship is whether one is able to criticise the other without the threat of losing the friendship.Sweden has been consistent and unwavering in its support for Namibia’s freedom.Over a number of decades, the Swedish International Development Agency and Swedish non-governmental organisations critically aligned themselves to our liberation movement.Today, Namibia needs investments and there can be little doubt that Sweden will negotiate through its Trade Council the best possible deals for its people.Equally we trust that the profits of these deals must filter to our own population and that locals are the direct beneficiaries as well.While there is a measure of sadness to Sweden’s political pullout from Namibia, its southern African presence no doubt will continue from its Pretoria-based embassy.Economic ties could be binding ones and perhaps this is Namibia’s new challenge in developing the friendship with Sweden.But a friendship will only work if both parties put in the same effort and energy.Sweden has been a pillar of support to the liberation movement (Swapo, Swanu, the National Union Namibian Workers, civil society inside Namibia, anti-apartheid student groups and many others) for decades before Independence in 1990.This came in the form of financial assistance, humanitarian support, medical aid, political solidarity in the decision-making forums of the world, and friendships that remain to this day.The guiding principles of co-operation and support for Namibia’s struggle to achieve independence was an acceptance that the majority of Namibians are the creators of their own destiny and should be making the decisions about the nature of the co-operation between Sweden and Namibia.Swedish humility and the country’s respect for our liberation intentions are now the stuff of legends and the signature of that government’s ability to take a back seat in the liberation of Africa and all its people.After Namibia’s Independence and once the afterglow of political freedom and choice settled into a more manageable sensation, political solidarity and co-operation necessarily had to assume different forms.Once the newly elected government settled in to tackle the arduous task of changing from a political movement into a political party running the government of a sovereign state, the relationship between Sweden and the new Namibia also changed.Whereas in previous decades and in the run-up to 1990, the relationship was defined by secrecy and the need to circumvent the then monolith of apartheid, transparency in transactions and deals with the new government of Namibia became the signature of Sweden’s continued solidarity.While the decision-making in Sweden is clearly the prerogative of the country’s government and its Cabinet, it does not require a rocket scientist to ascertain that the Swedish decision to close down its Windhoek embassy and concentrate on trade relations through the Swedish Trade Council is a move dictated by economic interests and a different type of partnership and solidarity.Namibia is richly endowed with natural resources.Global companies are lining up to explore and exploit the mineral-rich countryside.Governments are entering into bilaterals with the Namibian state to jointly manage mutually beneficial outcomes of common ventures in diamonds, fishing, uranium and platinum.This is as it should be.Namibia has a distance to travel to narrow the ever-widening gaps between the rich and the poor; between the haves and the have-nots; and between the different classes that make our society.Sweden is unapologetically social-democratic in its political philosophy and has been for many decades.Namibia’s ruling party has embraced a more liberal-democratic outlook in its management of the economy.This has meant that social services, delivery to the poor and starving, healthcare for the aged, education for the masses, have often been sacrificed on the altar of a rapacious free marketeering without a social conscience.If nothing else, Namibia has to learn from the Swedish experience in providing the best and most sophisticated services to the vast majority of its population.Friendships have to be worked on, and neglect is the surest sign that friendships are heading for trouble.The real test of friendship is whether one is able to criticise the other without the threat of losing the friendship.Sweden has been consistent and unwavering in its support for Namibia’s freedom.Over a number of decades, the Swedish International Development Agency and Swedish non-governmental organisations critically aligned themselves to our liberation movement.Today, Namibia needs investments and there can be little doubt that Sweden will negotiate through its Trade Council the best possible deals for its people.Equally we trust that the profits of these deals must filter to our own population and that locals are the direct beneficiaries as well.While there is a measure of sadness to Sweden’s political pullout from Namibia, its southern African presence no doubt will continue from its Pretoria-based embassy.Economic ties could be binding ones and perhaps this is Namibia’s new challenge in developing the friendship with Sweden.But a friendship will only work if both parties put in the same effort and energy.