EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/680

(2004/C 88 E/0699)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0104/04

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(22 January 2004)

Subject: Namibia – Farms threatened with occupation

Following the deadlock in negotiations between the Namibian Farmworkers Union (NAFU) and the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), which comprises most of the country's farm-owners, NAFU has announced that it intends to occupy certain farms, giving rise to fears of a re-run, although without official support, of what has been happening in Zimbabwe. This situation has been reported in The Namibian newspaper and some international media.

Tension continues to rise, with NAFU announcing that these actions could begin this month.

Since independence, Namibia has sought to establish a certain degree of equity with regard to land ownership, by adopting the ‘willing seller, willing buyer’ programme, with the right of preference reserved to those cases where the owner is seeking to sell, without taking or advocating any kind of violent or forced expropriation measures.

With the next presidential election campaign drawing near, to appoint Sam Nujoma's successor after 14 years in power, there are forecasts that this issue may be used as a way of stirring up the population, and fears that people and property could, as a result, suffer greatly.

The Commission:

— does it have any reliable information on this issue, and how does it see future developments;

— has it established contacts, or will it do so, with the authorities, or the trade union headquarters or the bosses' unions in Namibia in this connection? What measures has it taken or will it take to try to prevent the confrontation from worsening and dragging in other applicant countries;

— does it believe that European interests are in any way threatened in Namibia? Has it obtained safety guarantees from the Namibian Government? Will it do so;

— would it be prepared to collaborate with the Namibian Government, should this be requested? Does it believe the European Union could have a role in this issue as a potential means of reconciliation between the parties at dispute?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 2004)

The Commission is aware of the general problem with regard to ownership of commercial farm land in Namibia as well as of some individual cases of labour disputes in this context which are widely reported in the local media.

With regard to future developments on this issue, the Commission trusts that the Government will continue to respect the law and prevent unlawful actions. The prudent but firm statements made by the Government on individual cases show that it fully supports the application of the agreed ‘willing buyer, willing seller’ principle (which excludes any unlawful actions).

The Commission, through its Delegation in Namibia, has well established contacts with the responsible Government authorities, in particular with the Minister of Land Reform and the Minister of Agriculture, as well as with the Commercial Farmers Union (NAU) and the Namibian National Farmers Union (NNFU). From the ongoing dialogue with these institutions, the Commission concludes that the Government continues to ensure that any dispute is settled peacefully and in accordance with existing laws, and that it will do its utmost to avoid any confrontation. Any negative impact on neighbouring countries (or any risk that Namibia might follow the ‘Zimbabwean way’) appears thus excluded.

Namibia has signed with a number of Member States ‘Investment Protection Agreements’ during the recent past. These will provide additional legal security for property and investments.

Within the framework of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement and the related Namibia-Commission Country Strategy Paper it has been agreed that ‘Rural Development’ will be the main focal area for future development co-operation in this country, including the issue of land reform. The Commission has indeed acknowledged the great importance of this issue in the development of Namibia, and recognised that a successful land reform programme can be an effective way to consolidate the reconciliation and democratic process in this country. Preparations for providing such assistance are under way. Ignoring the need for land reform – including the promotion of a more equitable distribution of land – would be a mistake and would weaken the fight against poverty. This is true not only for the Commissions role as a partner in Namibia but indeed throughout the region.