The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (MIRCO) is in consultation with stakeholders to ensure the safety of Namibians in Ukraine and their repatriation, should it become necessary.

A media statement issued on Thursday by the ministry’s Executive Director, Penda Naanda, said there are about 100 Namibians, including 92 students, in Ukraine where security has deteriorated due to major military assaults by the Russian military.

“The Namibian government regards the safety of nationals as very important and the ministry is in constant contact with Namibian students in Ukraine and stakeholders, such as the Namibian Students Financial Assistance Fund,” it said.

The statement said Namibia calls on the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, to work towards the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine, noting that Namibia firmly believes in the principle of respect for national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with relevant international laws.

“Namibia reiterates our call for all parties to find an amicable solution that will minimise tensions and put a halt on the current worrisome situation in Ukraine,” the statement indicated.

The political conflict between Ukraine and Russia started between February and March in 2014, when Russia invaded and subsequently occupied the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine, with the conflict now intensifying.

Some countries have ordered their citizens to leave Ukraine for the sake of safety.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency