NAMIBIAN DEFENSE MINSTER INSISTS SOLDIERS WILL NOT

C O N F I D E N T I A L WINDHOEK 000365


FOR AF/S AND AF/C

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL WA
SUBJECT: NAMIBIAN DEFENSE MINSTER INSISTS SOLDIERS WILL NOT
GO TO DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Classified By: Ambassador Dennise Mathieu per 1.5 (b) and (d)


1. (U) Namibian papers reported on November 14 that
Minister of Defense Charles Namoloh told journalists that,
despite Angola's announcement this week that it would send
troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),the GRN
would not act unilaterally and send the Namibian National
Defense Force (NDF) to the region. According to the press,
Namoloh declared that if the newly-formed SADC Brigade sent
soldiers to the DRC, Namibia would not participate. However,
he went on to say that the GRN had not made a firm decision
on this issue, and that any decision would need to come from
the President, who would in turn consult with the National
Assembly. In addition, the press speculated that former
President Sam Nujoma favors deploying NDF troops to DRC,
while President Hifikepunye Pohamba does not.


2. (C) In a November 14 meeting with Ministry of Foreign
Affairs Permanent Secretary Ambassador Veiccoh Nghiwete, DCM
said we were pleased with Namoloh's remarks that Namibia
would not unilaterally send troops into the DRC. Nghiwete
shared that the defense staff of SADC recently met in
Johannesburg and decided to send a group of SADC defense
experts to assess the situation in Congo and consult with the
DRC government about what kind of assistance it might
provide. Nghiwete was unclear as to whether this mission had
already taken place. He described the crisis as "ugly,"
saying "it really needs to be stopped." He said he hoped
Uganda and Rwanda were not contributing to the violence, but
then added, "Rwanda clearly has a hand in the situation, and
it does not help." DCM reported that Assistant Secretary
Frazer had had productive meetings in Nairobi, and he
welcomed SADC's reiteration of the Nairobi group's call for
an immediate cease-fire, establishment of humanitarian
corridors, and support for full implementation of all prior
agreements among the regional parties. DCM underscored the
importance of the international community speaking with one
voice on this issue.


3. (C) Comment: Namibia is one of several African nations
that sent troops to the DRC in 1998 in support of then-rebel
leader Laurent Kabila, while Sam Nujoma was president of
Namibia. While Nujoma made a unilateral decision to deploy
troops, it is unlikely President Pohamba would do so. We are
heartened by the Minister of Defense's comments and will
continue to counsel the GRN against unilateral action.


MATHIEU