WINDHOEK – President Hifikepunye Pohamba last Friday – in his capacity as the Commander-In-Chief of the Namibia Defence Force Armed Forces – conferred the rank of Lieutenant General on John Mutwa – previously the Army Commander.
Mutwa who also previously held the rank of Major General was appointed as the new CDF by the Head of State in December last year replacing Lieutenant-General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah who retired as the CDF on December 31, 2013 and who had in turn previously replaced (Retired) Lieutenant General Martin Shalli. President Pohamba said he is confident the new Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) Lieutenant-General Mutwa will serve the country with loyalty, courage, dignity and honour given his professional military background and dedication.
The president said discipline was one of the most important elements in any (defence) force when he conferred the new Chief of the Defence Force John Mutwa with the rank of Lieutenant General the highest rank in the Namibian army. He the coherence of European Union action in the region and the programming of the EU’s financial cooperation.
He told President Pohamba that in terms of the theme of the summit, which is “Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace” Namibia is doing well and with President Pohamba’s presence in Brussels, it will be a unique opportunity to renew momentum of this continental partnership, while discussions would focus on precursors of growth and enablers for jobs to grow.
He also informed President Pohamba that top business people, as well as representative of small businesses from both continents are also invited to a business forum on the eve of the summit to discuss ways of improving the investment and business climate in the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) region and to raise the profile of doing business in Africa.
He said the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso has emphasised that it is an increasingly interdependent world, therefore, Africa and Europe’s future are closely interlinked.
“The European Union and the African Union must work together not just to provide security, but to improve the day-to-day lives of all citizens.
“The strategic partnership between Africa and the EU pursues common objectives and aims to expand the political dialogue and concrete operation into new areas of shared interest, the envoy said.
“The Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES) was adopted at the summit in Lisbon in 2007 by 80 heads of state and government from Africa and Europe where both sides agreed to pursue common interests and strategic objectives.
“Vervaeke said the JAES outlines a long-term shared vision of the future of Africa-EU relations in a globalised world.
By Magreth Nunuhe