… The French debates were a grand public theatre of over a thousand voices, stretching on for years. …
Opinion – The art of endurance: 36 years of Namibia’s constitutional miracleNamibia Minute.
Thursday, 21 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 21 May 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Namibian press · Place
France
Also known as: French
In coverage
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
- February 2026
Reigning champions France threw down an ominous marker for their Six Nations rivals as Louis Bielle-Biarrey inspired them to a 36-14 victory over Ireland on Thursday. …
Bielle Biarrey sparkles as rampant France beat Ireland in Six Nations… Their journey began in European sub-regional qualifying, where they topped a group containing France, the Isle of Man, Luxembourg and Turkey before beating Romania in the final on home soil. …
Associate Nations ready to showcase talent at ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026In-form France fly-half Matthieu Jalibert is ready to step into the spotlight and shine in the reigning champions’ Six Nations opener against Ireland, his captain Antoine Dupont said on Wednesday. …
All lights are go for Jalibert, says France's DupontThe US has declared a stark policy shift towards three West African countries which are battling Islamist insurgents and whose military governments have broken defence ties with France and turned towards Russia. …
Three West African juntas have turned to Russia. Now the US wants to engage them… China is typically the largest buyer of Namibian uranium, with France, the United States and Canada also featuring as major destinations. …
Namibia in Numbers: N$115 billion in exports from Jan to Nov 2025- January 2026
France’s parliament has backed a bill that would ban social media access for under-15s, a proposal supported by president Emmanuel Macron. …
Major step – French MPs vote in favour of bill to ban social media for under-15s… Ireland secured the Triple Crown but were soundly beaten by eventual champions France in Dublin and finished third in last year’s Six Nations. …
Irish believe in themselves despite mixed results, says Doris… That followed disappointing fourth-placed finishes in the Six Nations for the past two years. “I do believe the way the team played throughout 2025 in some of our biggest games — when I think back to New Zealand, France, England — the players have performed at a really high level …
Townsend bullish on Scotland's Six Nations prospects… Steve Borthwick’s men are second favourites for the Championship behind France, who they face in what could be a title shoot-out in the final match of the tournament on March 14. …
England must set new standards to win Six Nations, says George
Sport
World Cup football differs fundamentally from elite club competition
The News
The article examines how international football differs from club football, citing the absence of a transfer market and the pragmatic constraints on national team coaches who must work with available players and fewer high-profile matches.
19 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Tuesday 19 May
World Cup football differs fundamentally from elite club competition
The article examines how international football differs from club football, citing the absence of a transfer market and the pragmatic constraints on national team coaches who must work with available players and fewer high-profile matches.
19 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Monday 18 May
Brazil recalls Neymar, 34, for fourth World Cup squad
Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer Neymar was recalled to the national team for the World Cup after a near three-year absence, the biggest surprise in coach Carlo Ancelotti's 26-man squad. Neymar, who last played for Brazil in 2023 before injuries sidelined him, has now rejoined Santos and earned selection for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
18 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Saturday 16 May
Messi and Ronaldo prepare for sixth World Cup appearance
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are set to become the first players to appear in six different World Cups at this year's tournament in North America, two decades after their debuts at the finals. Despite Messi suggesting his career was complete after Argentina's 2022 World Cup victory, he has continued playing, most recently winning the MLS Cup with Inter Miami and captaining Argentina to Copa America victory in 2024.
16 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Thursday 14 May
Namibia reiterates call for UN Security Council reform
Namibia's Minister of International Relations and Trade joined more than 40 African foreign ministers in Nairobi to reaffirm support for UN Security Council reform, including permanent African representation and abolition of the veto power. The minister described Africa's exclusion from permanent membership as a historical injustice.
14 May 2026 · Informanté →
Vice President announces Franco-Namibian Marine Institute plan
Vice President Lucia Witbooi announced plans to establish a Franco-Namibian Marine Institute to train 1,000 technicians in shipbuilding, aquaculture, and marine robotics by 2030, with a goal of having 60% of Namibian marine products undergo secondary and tertiary processing domestically by 2030. Witbooi said the partnership would leverage French expertise in shipping and port management to reduce clearance times and deploy hydrogen-powered feeder vessels by 2029, connecting Walvis Bay with ports in Dakar, Abidjan, and Marseille via a green shipping corridor.
14 May 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's EU exports reached N$17.6 billion in 2025
Namibia exported N$90.4 billion in goods in 2025, with N$17.6 billion going to the EU, supporting 46,762 jobs. Exports to six EU member states (Spain, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, and Germany) accounted for 95% of Namibian EU exports, with products including fish, uranium, meat, fruit, charcoal, crustaceans, diamonds, and ores.
14 May 2026 · Informanté →
Wednesday 13 May
Iceland minister blames Namibia for Fishrot scandal
Iceland's finance minister attributed the Fishrot scandal to corruption in Namibia rather than Iceland, a comment an Icelandic journalist and former Transparency International Iceland director calls emotional escapism rooted in "Icelandic exceptionalism"—a delusional belief that Iceland is inherently uncorrupt and that corruption is merely a "foreign infection."
13 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia pushes for permanent UN Security Council seats for Africa
Namibia's trade and international relations minister, attending a ministerial meeting in Nairobi, reaffirmed Africa's demand for two permanent seats on the UN Security Council, together with additional non-permanent seats, as part of the Committee of Ten's push for UN system reform.
13 May 2026 · New Era →
Vice President invites French firms to invest in Namibia
Vice President Lucia Witbooi has invited French businesses to collaborate with Namibia, particularly in beneficiation and value addition of mineral resources. Witbooi said Namibia has diversified its economy beyond mining and agriculture into oil and gas, tourism, manufacturing, digital services, and technology, offering investment opportunities.
13 May 2026 · Informanté →
Monday 11 May
Vice President leads Namibia delegation to Africa Forward Summit
Vice President Lucia Witbooi arrived in Nairobi to lead Namibia's delegation to the Africa Forward Summit, where African leaders and investors will discuss investment, innovation, and economic cooperation. Namibia is focusing on securing partnerships that support industrialisation and value addition rather than dependence on raw material exports.
11 May 2026 · New Era →
Trump rejects Iran's proposal to end war
President Trump dismissed Iran's response to US proposals to end the war as "totally unacceptable." Iran's proposal, sent via Pakistan as mediator, included an immediate end to the war on all fronts, a halt to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, guarantees against further attacks on Iran, compensation for war damage, and emphasis on Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
11 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Sunday 10 May
2026 World Cup faces ticket prices, political tensions
The one-month countdown to the 2026 Fifa World Cup begins Monday with a record 48 teams descending on the United States, Canada and Mexico, though soaring ticket prices, political tensions, and conflict in Iran have cast an early shadow over the tournament.
10 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Thursday 7 May
Vice President Witbooi to represent Namibia at Kenya summit
Vice President Lucia Witbooi will represent Namibia at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi from 11 to 12 May 2026, a high-level meeting co-convened by Kenya and France where African leaders and international partners will discuss innovation, infrastructure, climate resilience and economic growth.
7 May 2026 · Informanté →
Paladin Energy sees uranium opportunities amid rising global demand
Paladin Energy says rising global nuclear energy demand and a uranium supply shortage are creating opportunities for the company to strengthen value from its uranium assets, including the Langer Heinrich Mine in Namibia's Erongo region. The company is focused on increasing production while maintaining financial flexibility and benefiting from long-term uranium supply contracts.
7 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Tuesday 5 May
Mali junta leader assumes defence minister role after predecessor killed
Mali's military leader Gen Assimi Goïta has taken over as defence minister after the previous defence minister, Sadio Camara, was killed in a suicide truck bombing during coordinated attacks by jihadists and separatist rebels. Goïta's appointment consolidates civilian and defence leadership during a security crisis that has led to a partial blockade of major cities and withdrawal of Malian and allied forces from the northern city of Kidal.
5 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Thursday 30 April
Madagascar detains French national over alleged destabilization plot
Madagascar has detained a former French serviceman and charged him with criminal conspiracy and plotting to sabotage infrastructure, alongside a Malagasy army officer and others. Madagascar's foreign ministry expelled a French diplomat for alleged involvement in destabilizing the country, which France has denied and protested.
30 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Monday 20 April
Former ambassador Emvula chairs Namibia's peer review council
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed former ambassador Wilfried Emvula as chairperson of the National Governing Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism in Namibia, with ten members inaugurated for a term to January 2030. The council, established under the APRM Statute, will provide strategic oversight and ensure transparency in governance reforms aligned with Namibia's development plan and Africa's Agenda 2063.
20 April 2026 · The Namibian →
French energy delegation explores Namibia's oil and gas sector
A delegation of 20 French companies and energy firms completed a business mission across Namibia, signalling France's intent to centre energy at the core of its economic partnership with the country. The mission, organised by Evolen (a French professional association representing 250 energy companies), was accompanied by French ambassador statements emphasizing French interest in Namibia's energy sector.
20 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Friday 17 April
Pan-Africanist activist arrested in South Africa on extradition warrant
South African police arrested anti-Western activist Kemi Seba in Pretoria while he was attempting to flee to Zimbabwe and Europe. Benin has issued an international warrant for his arrest after he publicly supported a failed coup attempt in December, on charges of inciting rebellion and crimes against the state.
17 April 2026 · New Era →
Tuesday 14 April
Pope begins African tour amid Trump criticism over Iran
Pope Leo XIV has begun a landmark visit to Algeria, the first papal visit to the Muslim-majority nation, amid public criticism from US President Donald Trump over the pontiff's calls for an end to violence in the Iran war. The two-day Algerian visit launches a broader African tour covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea from 13 to 23 April, with the pope framing the trip as an opportunity to promote peace and reconciliation between Christian and Muslim worlds.
14 April 2026 · New Era →
France and UK plan separate peacekeeping mission for Hormuz
France and Britain will organize a "peaceful multinational mission" to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, separate from the warring parties, French President Emmanuel Macron announced. The UK confirmed it will not join the US naval blockade of the strait announced by Trump.
14 April 2026 · New Era →
Friday 10 April
International calls grow for ceasefire extension to Lebanon
Calls are mounting for a US-Iran ceasefire to extend to Israel's conflict with Hezbollah after Israeli strikes killed over 200 people in Lebanon, though Israel and the US say Lebanon was not part of the truce, while Iran signals the talks may collapse.
10 April 2026 · New Era →
Thursday 9 April
Djibouti's 27-year leader Guelleh expected to win sixth term
Ismail Omar Guelleh, who has ruled Djibouti since 1999, is poised to extend his control of the strategically important Horn of Africa nation in a presidential election widely dismissed as uncompetitive, with the opposition divided and a human rights monitor calling it a "masquerade."
9 April 2026 · New Era →
France's climate progress slows as emissions cuts miss targets
France's greenhouse gas emissions fell just 1.5% in 2025, marking a second straight year of slower cuts and falling well short of the 4% annual reduction needed to meet its 2030 climate targets. The slowdown reflects challenges across major economies in reducing emissions from politically sensitive sectors like transportation and energy, as global geopolitical tensions and economic pressures divert attention from climate action.
9 April 2026 · New Era →
Sunday 5 April
Senegal restricts minister travel as oil prices surge
Senegal's prime minister has banned government ministers from non-essential foreign travel due to rising oil prices stemming from the Iran conflict, with the cost of a barrel approaching double the budgeted amount. The move reflects a broader continental response to oil price rises, with other African countries reducing fuel levies, rationing electricity, and implementing other cost-cutting measures.
5 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Friday 3 April
Burkina Faso military leader rejects democracy, extends autocratic rule
Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in a 2021 coup, declared that democracy "kills" and said Burkina Faso must abandon it in favour of an unspecified alternative approach. The junta leader, who broke a pledge to restore elections by July 2024, has dissolved political parties, suppressed dissent, and extended his rule for five additional years.
3 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Thursday 2 April
NATO's cohesion weakens as US shifts priorities to China
According to a Higher School of Economics analysis, NATO is experiencing structural fractures as the US under Trump repositions from European leadership to a demanding hegemon role focused on China containment, while questioning allies' territorial integrity and reducing Ukraine support. European members now doubt the credibility of US nuclear guarantees and seek alternatives, though a unified European defence remains politically unrealistic, suggesting the alliance will persist but with reduced cohesion and interest-driven rather than collective cooperation.
2 April 2026 · New Era →
Iraq celebrates World Cup qualification amid ongoing regional war
Iraq's national football team qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1986 after a 2-1 victory over Bolivia, sparking celebrations across Baghdad despite the country's involvement in the Middle East conflict that has killed over 100 people. The win was described by residents as a source of national unity during dire economic circumstances and ongoing violence.
2 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Iraq qualifies for World Cup for first time in 40 years
Iraq defeated Bolivia 2-1 in an intercontinental playoff in Mexico to secure the 48th and final World Cup berth, marking their first appearance at the finals since 1986. Despite disruptions from the regional conflict and a gruelling journey from Baghdad, Iraq will compete in Group I alongside France, Senegal, and Norway.
2 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 1 April
Niger's deposed president held in limbo after three years
Mohamed Bazoum, Niger's democratically elected president ousted by a military coup in July 2023, remains detained in the presidential palace with an uncertain legal status as his official term ends. His lawyers argue he should retain rights, while the junta claims authority under a new military charter, leaving little prospect of his release or trial despite international demands.
1 April 2026 · New Era →