When Bilateralism Fails

IT IS well known worldwide that the spirit of solidarity and friendship of the Cuban people with us African nations dates back to our struggles for independence and national sovereignity. With Namibia in particular the bonds are written in the blood of the glorious Cuban internationalist forces that defeated the army of apartheid in the historic and decisive battles of Mavinga and Quito Cuanavale in south eastern Angola 1988 leading to our Independence through the UN resolution 435.

The first-ever Cuban presidential visit to Namibia almost 20 years after the war is not just historic but long overdue.I was among a group of Namibians who studied in Cuba and who went to the airport to welcome the visitors. It did not look like a state event though. I was one of the ‘nobodies’ among dignitaries at the gala dinner which I admit was extravagant and no wonder why Namibia is recognised as a developed country that does not qualify to benefit from international support programes targeting developing countries. As customary after a high profile visit a joint communique was issued but still remains not really understandable to ordinary men. Let’s wait and see if the ‘bilateral agrement’ signed is not just another questionable deal that will be exploited by few political elite to continue their corrupt acts and favouritism. Recently our bilateral agreements with China backfired, so lets hope that the Cubans will not be lured into illicit deals.While the majority is entangled in poverty and sleeping hungry, our leaders are dining on three course exotic meals worth many peoples’ monthly salaries. What do these bilateral agreements mean to the man in the street and how do they benefit them? They seem to pave the way for our elite bourgeoisie and politicians to go on long paid vacations to the Caribbean and other exotic locations. I say this becouse Namibians were promised zero tolerance to corruption and the revelation of all commissions of enquiry of the former President. Mr President, your people are waiting. Instead small fish are paraded in Namibian courts while the really big fish, the mafioso of Namibian’s corrupt underworld, as one writer puts it, remains free and untouched. In Cuba the economy and its means belong to the state/public institutions and that helped them elevated their health and education systems to the level of developed countries. Here in Namibia the economy is controlled by entities owned by a small ‘clique’ of politically well connected people, their associates and family. Unlike Cubans, Namibians have love for material things and modern gadgets that go with them. Let all Namibians and the international community support and fight if necesary for the prompt removal of the financial blockade imposed by the USA which is causing enormous difficulties to the people of Cuba.Grun E. NghimwenaVia e-mail