President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö made a state visit to Namibia from 27 to 28 April 2023.
President of the Republic of Namibia Hage G. Geingob received President Niinistö at a welcoming ceremony in Windhoek on Thursday 27 April. At their meeting, the two Presidents discussed bilateral relations between Finland and Namibia and the global political situation.
President Niinistö said that Finland has the longest relations with Namibia amongst all the African countries. “We were an early and strong supporter of the independence movement and the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Namibia. As you said, President Martti Ahtisaari played an important role in this process of independence. I have the pleasure to convey his and Mrs Eeva Ahtisaari’s warm greetings to you and to the people of Namibia,” the President said.
“We discussed the global situation, which is not at all satisfactory at the moment. I think we agree that – discussion, diplomacy – these are words we need now and more co-understanding”, President Niinistö said at a joint press conference after the discussions.
Repatriation of fragments of the Ondonga power stone
Before the press conference, both presidents were present at a ceremony, where two fragments of the sacred power stone of the Ondonga Kingdom were repatriated. The fragments had been cut from the power stone in 1886 in violation of the Kingdom’s law. The repatriation agreement was signed between the National Museums of Finland and Namibia. The event was also attended by the King of Ondonga Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo. The topics discussed included bilateral relations, deepening economic cooperation and the global security situation.
In the evening of Thursday 27 April, President of Namibia Hage G. Geingob hosted a State Banquet at which President Niinistö gave a speech.
President Niinistö was accompanied by a business delegation with representatives from various business sectors.
Last day of the state visit to Namibia
On the second day of the state visit to Namibia, Friday 28 April, President Niinistö met Prime Minister of Namibia Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and Speaker of the National Assembly Peter Hitjitevi Katjavivi. The topics discussed included bilateral relations, the potential for deepening economic cooperation as well as the global security situation.
In the afternoon, President Niinistö had a discussion with Namibian university students about university cooperation between Finland and Namibia, young people’s experiences in Finland and opportunities to develop contacts between Finns and Namibians.
In Windhoek, the President also attended a business seminar, where he gave the keynote speech.
The previous presidential visit from Finland to Namibia was made by President Tarja Halonen in 2011.
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President of the Republic of Namibia Hage G. Geingob receives President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö on a state visit in Windhoek on 27 April 2023. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and President of the Republic of Namibia Hage G. Geingob during the welcoming ceremony in Windhoek. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and President of the Republic of Namibia Hage G. Geingob during the welcoming ceremony in Windhoek. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Niinistö inspecting the guard of honour. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Niinistö greeting the members of the Namibian delegation. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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The welcoming ceremony ended with a dance and acrobatic performance. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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The welcoming ceremony ended with a dance and acrobatic performance. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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The Presidents on their way to the press conference. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Sauli Niinistö and president Hage G. Geingob in Windhoek on 27 April 2023. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Sauli Niinistö and president Hage G. Geingob in Windhoek on 27 April 2023. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Niinistö and President Geingob attended a ceremony, where two extracted fragments of the sacred Ondonga power stone were repatriated to Namibia. Elina Anttila, Director General of the National Museum of Finland, and Esther Moombolah-Gôagose, Director of the Namibian Cultural Heritage Programme, signed the repatriation agreement. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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Permanent State Secretary at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs Jukka Salovaara hands over the stone fragments to the Namibian Minister of Education, Arts and Culture Anna Nghipondoka. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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The King of Ondonga Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo holds the stone fragments, President Niinistö and President Geingob applaud. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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The Presidents of Finland and Namibia at the joint press conference. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Niinistö gave a speech at the State Banquet on Thursday 27 April. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Sauli Niinistö met with Prime Minister of Namibia Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila on Friday 28 April in Windhoek. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Sauli Niinistö met with Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia Peter Hitjitevi Katjavivi on Friday 28 April 2023 in Windhoek. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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In Windhoek, President Niinistö attended a business seminar, where he gave the keynote speech. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Niinistö discussed with Namibian university students about university cooperation between Finland and Namibia, young people in Finland and opportunities to develop contacts between Finns and Namibians. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
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President Niinistö discussed with Namibian students about university cooperation between Finland and Namibia, young people in Finland and opportunities to develop contacts between Finns and Namibians. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland