Secretary-General meets Namibia’s President

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon met the President of the Namibia, Hifikepunye Pohamba, in Windhoek on 13 December 2006 at the start of a week-long visit to Commonwealth member countries in Southern Africa.

During his visit to Namibia, Mr McKinnon also met the South-West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) Chief Whip in the National Assembly, Ben Amadhila, as well as the Congress of Democrats (COD) President and Opposition leader, Ben Ulenga.

During his week-long trip to Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, Mr McKinnon is scheduled to meet the countries' Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers. In Lesotho, talks are expected to centre on the forthcoming elections. In Swaziland, discussions are likely to review implementation of the country's constitution which was renewed earlier this year following assistance and support from the Commonwealth.

Meetings in all four countries are also expected to focus on promoting the core values and work of the Commonwealth, particularly in the fields of democracy, good governance and sustainable development. Arrangements for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Uganda in November 2007 are also expected to be raised.

The Secretary-General will brief political leaders during the calls in capitals on progress achieved by the recently established Commission on Respect and Understanding, and the Committee on Commonwealth Membership.

Key Links:

• Botswana Country Profile
• Lesotho Country Profile
• Namibia Country Profile
• Swaziland Country Profile