Namibia Minute.
Sunday, 6 September 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

African Union

Also known as: the African Union summit · African Union summit · African Union Assembly of Heads of State

Intergovernmental organization of African states that addresses continent-wide issues including peace and security financing, social protection, accurate map representation, and reparations advocacy.

2018-02-162026-09-06
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. June 2026

  2. Informanté

    African Union recognised the diaspora as its sixth region in 2003

    Source

    “She called for solidarity with the African diaspora, which the African Union recognised as its sixth region in 2003.”

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah calls UN slave trade resolution ‘beginning of journey’ at Accra conference

  3. Windhoek Observer

    African Union championed the initiative to have trans-Atlantic slavery officially recognized as the gravest crime against humanity

    Source

    “Her support for the initiative championed by Ghana, the African Union and CARICOM to have trans-Atlantic slavery officially recognized as the gravest crime against humanity is both timely and justified.”

    Ghana was the perfect stage for Africa’s unfinished conversation

  4. Informanté

    African Union convened High-Level Virtual Meeting to mobilise response to Ebola outbreak

    Source

    “The commitment was highlighted during a High-Level Virtual Meeting of African Heads of State, Governments and Partners on the Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus Disease) outbreak, convened by the African Union to mobilise political leadership, resources and coordinated action to address the health emergency.”

    SADC joins continental efforts to strengthen Ebola response in DRC and Uganda

  5. Informanté

    African Union participated in the 2026 Korea–Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Seoul

    Source

    “The meeting, convened from 1 to 2 June 2026 under the theme "Building Bridges for Shared Prosperity and Sustainable Development," brought together foreign ministers and senior representatives from African countries, the Republic of Korea, the African Union, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).”

    Seoul meeting strengthens Korea–Africa partnership, Namibia participates
  6. May 2026

  7. The Namibian

    African Union evolved from the Organisation of African Unity

    Source

    “Africa Day is an annual worldwide celebration observed on 25 May, and commemorates the founding in 1963 of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which later evolved into the African Union (AU).”

    Do Ordinary Africans Have Anything to Celebrate?

  8. The Namibian

    AU shifted focus from supporting liberation movements to spearheading the continent's development and integration

    Source

    “The AU has shifted focus from supporting liberation movements in countries under colonialism and apartheid, as envisaged by the OAU since 1963 and the constitutive act, to spearheading the continent's development and integration.”

    Do Ordinary Africans Have Anything to Celebrate?

  9. The Namibian

    African Union declared 2026 the Year of 'Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063'

    Source

    “The African Union declared 2026 the Year of "Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063", and this lofty ask is a call to arms.”

    Africa Day is a call to business, not just governments

  10. The Namibian

    African Union had headquarters built by an external power

    Source

    “The deeper question is why the central house of African unity had to be built by an external power in the first place.”

    China, the West, Gaddafi and the Crisis of African Order

  11. The Namibian

    the African Union gained permanent membership in the G20

    Source

    “This commitment is backed by India's expanded diplomatic presence across the African continent and a consistent push for a more representative global order – a goal most notably realised through India's successful advocacy for the African Union's permanent membership in the G20.”

    Namibia and the New Era of India-Africa Partnership

  12. The Namibian

    African Union has been asked by Ghana to discuss mistreatment of Africans in South Africa

    Source

    “Ghana has also written to the African Union, asking it to discuss the issue, saying it posed a "serious risk to the safety and well-being" of Africans in South Africa.”

    Ghana to evacuate 300 from South Africa over anti-immigrant protests
World & Region

African Union welcomes UN resolution on accurate African map representation

The News

The African Union has welcomed a UN General Assembly resolution calling for more accurate representation of Africa on world maps, arguing that the commonly used Mercator projection distorts Africa's actual size. The AU Commission chair called on international institutions, schools, publishers and digital platforms to adopt maps that provide more accurate representation of global land areas.

5 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Yesterday

  1. African Union welcomes UN resolution on accurate African map representation

    The African Union has welcomed a UN General Assembly resolution calling for more accurate representation of Africa on world maps, arguing that the commonly used Mercator projection distorts Africa's actual size. The AU Commission chair called on international institutions, schools, publishers and digital platforms to adopt maps that provide more accurate representation of global land areas.

    5 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 3 September

  1. Namibia urges proactive drought management for economic resilience

    Environment and tourism minister Indileni Daniel called at a UN desertification conference in Mongolia for drought to be treated as a development priority rather than an emergency, emphasizing that Namibia must invest in preparation and resilience instead of reacting only after disasters strike. As one of the driest countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Namibia faces rising temperatures, variable rainfall, and prolonged droughts that threaten agricultural production, water security, and affect more than one million people during severe droughts.

    3 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 1 September

  1. Africa must fund own peace efforts, president says

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called for African countries and the private sector to increase funding for conflict resolution rather than relying heavily on external support. She highlighted the adoption of the Luanda Plan of Action at an African Union summit as a framework that specifies responsibilities, timelines, and funding requirements for peace programmes.

    1 September 2026 · New Era →

  2. Nandi-Ndaitwah returns from AU summit on African-funded peace

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah attended the African Union's 21st extraordinary session in Luanda, where African leaders renewed calls for the continent to take greater financial responsibility for its own peace and security priorities rather than relying on external funding.

    1 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 31 August

  1. Namibia's president backs African self-financing of peace efforts

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has returned from an African Union summit in Angola where leaders emphasised strengthening Africa's capacity to prevent and resolve conflicts and finance its own peace and security priorities. The summit adopted an action plan linking continental activities to required financial resources and underscored the need for African governments to take greater responsibility for peace initiatives rather than depend on external support.

    31 August 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Nandi-Ndaitwah attends AU summit on conflict prevention

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah joined African leaders in Luanda, Angola, for the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government, which assessed the continent's peace and security situation and considered measures to strengthen mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution.

    31 August 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 29 August

  1. Documentary explores Bience Gawanas beyond institutional roles

    A new documentary titled 'The Encapsulation of Bience Gawanas', directed by filmmaker Othilia Mungoba, presents an intimate audiovisual portrait of the liberation figure and human rights advocate using multi-sensory storytelling that blends conversations, archival footage, personal artefacts, photographs and music. The film will be screened on 28 August at a public event in Windhoek.

    29 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 28 August

  1. Nandi-Ndaitwah congratulates Zambian President on re-election

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has congratulated Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on his re-election following Zambia's August 2026 elections, pledging to deepen cooperation between the two nations. Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized the importance of strengthening democratic culture and maintaining peace and unity during electoral processes.

    28 August 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 27 August

  1. Namibia prioritizes drought preparedness over emergency response

    At the UN Convention to Combat Desertification conference in Mongolia, Namibia's environment minister called for greater investment in drought preparedness measures, stating that the country can no longer afford to respond only after disaster strikes. She noted that more than one million people can face food insecurity during severe droughts and that Namibia is strengthening early-warning systems, contingency planning, and water security measures.

    27 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 20 August

  1. Namibia must sustain anti-firearms campaign beyond amnesty

    The Windhoek Observer welcomes the Namibian Police Force's September amnesty for illegal firearms but warns that prevention efforts must extend beyond the month-long initiative. Between September 2025 and June 2026, the country recorded 20 firearm murders, 261 armed robberies, and hundreds of other weapons-related offences, underscoring the need for a sustained national campaign against firearms.

    20 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Namibia extends amnesty for illegal gun surrender until September 30

    Namibia's safety and security minister Lucia Iipumbu launched a 2026 September Amnesty Month on Wednesday, giving illegal firearm owners until 30 September to surrender their weapons without arrest or prosecution. After the amnesty period ends, offenders will be prosecuted according to national laws.

    20 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 17 August

  1. Ghana leads global push for slavery reparations from Western nations

    Ghana has tabled a UN resolution recognising transatlantic slavery as "the greatest crime against humanity" and hosted a reparations summit in Accra in June with delegates from around 80 countries, asserting that compensation from nations and institutions that benefited from slavery is overdue. The UK and US have resisted the reparations demands, though Ghana has been designated by the African Union as "champion for reparatory justice."

    17 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 14 August

  1. South Africa assumes SADC chairpersonship for 2026–2027

    South African Minister Ronald Lamola accepted the SADC Chairpersonship on behalf of South Africa for 2026–2027, emphasizing the role as a collective responsibility guided by principles of solidarity, unity, sovereign equality, and shared prosperity.

    14 August 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Young voters shape Zambia's election amid economic concerns

    Zambians voted with concerns over the economy, rising cost of living, and unemployment, with young people emerging as an important political force. President Hakainde Hichilema sought a second term against opposition candidate Brian Mundubile and other contenders, with about 8.7 million registered voters and largely peaceful polling.

    14 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 13 August

  1. Funding freeze halts veterans' housing and resettlement projects

    The veterans affairs ministry has suspended house construction and resettlement for liberation struggle veterans due to financial constraints. More than 11,000 veterans remain unpaid under Individual Veterans' Projects, with the government requiring about N$1.9 billion to settle outstanding payments.

    13 August 2026 · New Era →

  2. South Africa chairs SADC with focus on regional trade and critical minerals

    South Africa has assumed the SADC chairmanship for 2026–2027 with a commitment to raise intra-regional trade to 50% and shift member economies from exporting raw materials towards beneficiation and regional value chains. The region holds nearly 30% of the world's proven critical mineral reserves, and South Africa's agenda prioritises peace and security, industrialisation, infrastructure development, and social and human capital development.

    13 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 10 August

  1. Minister urges sustained funding for AU social protection goals

    Justice Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel told an African Union technical committee that sustained continental financing, effective partnerships and enhanced coordination are needed to implement AU social protection strategies. Ministers from AU member states agreed to accelerate comprehensive social protection systems reaching informal workers, rural communities, and vulnerable groups, and endorsed measures to expand social protection and strengthen migrant worker rights.

    10 August 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 9 August

  1. AU ministers pledge social protection, columnist questions delivery

    Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel, addressing an African Union technical committee meeting in Windhoek on behalf of the president, declared that ministers have agreed to accelerate social protection systems for informal workers, rural and migrant communities, defining social protection as a fundamental human right. The Namibian's columnist is sceptical, suggesting the commitments amount to "bureaucratic poetry" with limited practical impact.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 5 August

  1. African ministers prioritise social protection and decent jobs

    Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel told an African Union technical committee in Windhoek that African countries must treat social protection as a right to reduce poverty and create decent jobs. Ministers agreed to expand social protection systems to cover informal economy workers, rural communities, migrant workers and vulnerable groups, and called for policies to help young people find work and strengthen labour markets.

    5 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 2 August

  1. Minister Kantema calls for concrete action on women's development

    Gender equality and child welfare minister Emma Kantema has called for African governments and development partners to move beyond commitments and take concrete action to improve the livelihoods of women and girls, urging that women be actively involved in designing, governing and managing initiatives that affect their lives and communities.

    2 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 31 July

  1. Cabinet approves mining policy for protected areas

    The Cabinet has approved a new national policy to regulate prospecting and mining in protected areas and other environmentally sensitive zones, balancing mineral development with environmental conservation. Namibia has also been authorised to sign the statute of the African Mineral Development Centre, enabling participation in the African Union agency dedicated to sustainable mineral development.

    31 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 30 July

  1. Business Africa urges productive enterprise to lift African poverty

    Business Africa's head of research told an African Union meeting in Windhoek that productive businesses creating jobs and wealth are the most effective way to address persistent poverty, limited fiscal resources, and rising citizen demands across Africa. He called for stronger regional economies to support weaker ones through social dialogue on issues including social protection, labour migration, and child protection.

    30 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 29 July

  1. Pan-African Parliament calls for roadmap to end Sudan conflict

    The Pan-African Parliament has called for an immediate end to the conflict in Sudan and recommended an extraordinary session to develop a roadmap for peaceful resolution, with Namibia's Head of Delegation to the parliament presenting a report that examined the security crisis and humanitarian impact of the conflict.

    29 July 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 28 July

  1. Ramaphosa calls for African unity on conflict, migration, trade

    South African President Cyril Ramaphosa urged African countries to strengthen unity, democratic governance and economic cooperation to address armed conflict, climate change, migration challenges and global economic uncertainty. He called on the Pan-African Parliament to uphold democracy and accountability, and identified the African Continental Free Trade Area as key to unlocking the continent's economic potential.

    28 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 27 July

  1. Government strategy targets doubling agriculture's GDP contribution by 2030

    Namibia's Strategy for the Transformation of the Agri-food Sector aims to drive at least 6% annual sector growth and double agriculture's contribution to GDP by 2030 through increased productivity, value addition, private investment, and reduced food imports. The strategy prioritises commercialisation of agriculture and unlocking the economic potential of Northern Communal Areas, which hold approximately 1.6 million cattle but contribute relatively little to the national agricultural economy.

    27 July 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 26 July

  1. Namibia leads Africa in urban water access, sanitation lags

    Namibia has achieved 98% urban water access and a national average of 91.4% access to safe drinking water, among the highest in Africa, but access to basic sanitation stands at only 60%. Government officials cited geography, dispersed rural settlements, and rapid informal settlement growth as obstacles to universal access, alongside deteriorating infrastructure.

    26 July 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 24 July

  1. South Africa dismisses ICC petition over migrant attacks

    South Africa has rejected as "opportunistic" a petition filed at the International Criminal Court by two Ghanaians seeking investigation into attacks on foreigners, saying the petition falls short of the ICC's legal threshold and that its own legal system can handle such matters. Ghana and other African countries have been repatriating citizens amid rising anti-migrant protests and violence.

    24 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Pan-African Parliament Chairperson urges coordinated African action on Sudan

    Phillipus Katamelo, Chairperson of the Pan-African Parliament Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution, has called for coordinated African-led efforts to address Sudan's security crisis, warning that its humanitarian consequences and human rights violations cannot be ignored. Joint committees deliberated on the security situation, its humanitarian impact, and the human rights situation in Sudan.

    24 July 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 22 July

  1. Namibia's PAP delegation begins committee preparations

    Namibia's Pan-African Parliament delegation, led by Deputy Speaker Phillipus Katamelo, has commenced Permanent Committee sittings ahead of the First Ordinary Session of the Seventh Parliament, scheduled to begin on 27 July 2026 in Midrand, South Africa. The committee meetings, running until 25 July, form part of preparations to review matters under the various PAP committees' mandates.

    22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 20 July

  1. Namibia hosts African Union summit on social protection

    Namibia will host the Sixth Ordinary Session of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Social Development, Labour and Employment from 27 to 31 July in Windhoek. The summit focuses on investing in and expanding social protection systems across Africa, and the article urges Namibia to use the event to address broader questions about structuring African economies to create jobs.

    20 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

African Union — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute