By: Sakeus Iikela
Namibia’s National Council and the Federal Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Wednesday signed an agreement which will facilitate the interaction and cooperation between Members of Parliament and staff of the two countries.
The Chairperson of the National Council Hon, Lukas Sinimbo Muha, who is in Russia for the Russia-Africa parliamentary Conference, attended the signing ceremony in Russia.
During the event, Hon. Muha emphasised that the signing of the cooperation agreement takes place at the right time after the Russia-Africa Parliamentary Conference has just concluded.
“The modern paradigm of multipolar democracy can best be nurtured through agreements of this nature where Parliaments can play a significant role at bilateral and multilateral levels,” Muha said.
The Chairperson extended his gratitude to the people of Russia for the support the country offered Namibia during the liberation struggle and continuous support after the attaining of our independence.
While in Russia, Hon. Muha reiterated Namibia’s call for the international community to reform the United Nation’s Security Council into an inclusive body reflective of the different geo-political regions of the world.
He said Africa’s absence from the Security Council in the permanent category “is unjustifiable and a serious testimony of historic imbalances”.
“Several member states have made enough calls and supported the expansion of both the permanent and non-permanent member categories of the Security Council. The drums calling for the need to reshape the United Nations Security Council … are loud enough to be ignored any longer,” he said.
The Council’s legitimacy must be strengthened, and measures must be taken to increase the Council’s capacity to adequately carry out its duties in maintaining international peace and security, he said.
