President Hage Geingob said that 100 years of colonisation and the current classification of Namibia as an upper-middle-income class country does not reflect the reality on the ground when it comes to the income disparities between the wealthy whites and poor blacks.
Speaking at the 77th United Nations General Assembly themed ‘Solutions through solidarity, sustainability and science’ in New Work on Wednesday, Geingob said the formula of dividing the country’s small population with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) deriving a high per capita income is flawed and requires urgent consideration.
Geingob stressed that the upper middle-income classification denies Namibia access to soft loans and grants, which are necessary to fight inequality aimed at lifting many out of poverty.
“Global debt is at an unprecedented level and interest rates are rising. This reality limits our fiscal space. As we talk about our collective aspirations, we should remain acutely aware of the vulnerabilities facing developing countries. I am confident that the unfair classification of countries like Namibia as upper middle-income countries will enjoy priority,” he lambasted.
Geingob equally called for the inclusion of Africans in the UN security council, stressing that Africa is a continent of 1.2 billion citizens and its exclusion from the Security Council is an injustice.
He noted that for as long as the Council fails to reflect in stature and composition, current global realities, it will not be able to adequately address global concerns, therefore there is a need to reform the Security Council, in line with the Common African Position.
Geingob also called for the upliftment of the heavy burden of sanctions against Cuba and Zimbabwe, saying, it is time that the sons and daughters of Cuba are given their right to a decent life, free from an embargo that denies them their right to develop their own country. Zimbabwe, he said, has made laudable progress and reforms, which should be given a chance to succeed without the weight of sanctions.
The President equally called for an urgent need to start implementing the two-state solution as the only viable alternative that can end inequality and bring peace to both the people of Palestine and Israel.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
