Namibia has so far missed out on the key aspects relating to the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) of the African Union (AU). Namibia has not yet acceded to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), nor was it represented in any capacity at the first meeting of states parties to the APRM held in the Rwandese capital, Kigali, held last weekend on 13 and February, 2004, which was attended by several heads of states. The national Society for Human Rights (NSHR) said in a statement on Wednesday it was regrettable that Namibia so far does not participate in the African Peer Review Mechanism. APRM Support Officer Mufor Atanga in Johannesburg confirmed that Namibia is neither a State Party to the APRM nor did it attend the Kigali meeting. The APRM is aimed at promoting good political governance, respect for human rights and sustainable human development as well as prosperity on the African continent. Altogether nine African heads of state at the Kigali meeting adopted a code of conduct containing rules and procedures on the implementation of the APRM. The APRM will now be applicable only to the 16 States of the 53 AU Member States that have ratified the Kigali code of conduct. Ratifying the APRM means that the ratifying State agrees to its shortcomings on good economic and political governance, respect for human rights henceforth being assessed by other ratifying nations. According to the APRM code of conduct, African leaders can decide to take "appropriate measures" such as suspending a rogue state from NEPAD if its actions undermined the reputation of the re-born continent. Nonetheless, in real terms the APRM lacks clear toothy provisions to punish offenders. The AU member states that have ratified the APRM are Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, and Uganda.

It is expected that many businesses and industrial sectors will participate in this year’s special exhibition. The Afmarine Expo will lead up to the Independence Day celebrations in Walvis Bay with President Sam Nujoma as key note speaker.