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Namibia’s Unstable Northern Frontier
Author(s) -
Stanley William R.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
tijdschrift voor economische en sociale geografie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.766
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1467-9663
pISSN - 0040-747X
DOI - 10.1111/1467-9663.00210
Subject(s) - frontier , independence (probability theory) , politics , spanish civil war , government (linguistics) , political science , geography , colonialism , development economics , economy , economics , archaeology , linguistics , statistics , philosophy , mathematics , law
Namibia’s borders with Angola and Zambia have been periodically unstable beginning with its long war (1966–89) of independence from South Africa. After several years of post–independence calm, serious problems have surfaced in the Caprivi and neighbouring Kavango regions. The problems in the Caprivi have their roots in colonial politics and the war, and could be the most damaging long term. The situation in Kavango is the result of a questionable decision by Namibia in early 2000, which permitted the government faction in the Angolan civil conflict to use its strategic northern territory for military purposes. Unanticipated destabilisation has resulted from getting involved in Angola’s troubles. By staying in the field and remaining capable of the occasional cross border ‘hit and run’ operation, the anti–government UNITA faction in Angola has negatively impacted Namibia’s tourist sector. The Caprivi’s location will benefit Namibia economically whenever Central Africa’s mineral exports are attracted westward.