WINDHOEK: President Hifikepunye Pohamba called on the international community to support the efforts of Kofi Annan, the United Nations and Arab League Special Envoy to Syria, to find a lasting solution to the crisis in Syria and prevent further bloodshed.

The situation in Syria is of serious concern, Pohamba said during the State of Banquet in honour of the visiting Swaziland King Mswati III.

The violence in Syria between the government and the rebels has been going on for over a year now.

Clashes between government and rebel forces are thought to have claimed the lives of over 10,000 people.

A ceasefire between the two sides was agreed in April, but the fighting has continued and now the peace plan looks like it could collapse.

President Pohamba said Namibia remains committed to playing its role in the maintenance of international peace and security.

“We, therefore, continue to give our full support to the efforts of the African Union to find peaceful and lasting solutions to armed conflicts in some of our Member States, including Guinea Bissau, Mali, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, and in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Pohamba.
He also called upon all the parties in Madagascar to expedite the implementation of the Road Map they have committed themselves to, in order to allow the return of that country to constitutionality.

“Without peace and stability on our continent, we will not be able to achieve sustainable socio-economic development,” emphasised the Namibian Head of State.
At the same occasion, Pohamba congratulated the newly elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma of South Africa and assure her of his country’s full support during her tenure of office.

Her election was not only a victory to Southern African development community (SADC), but equally a victory to the continent as a whole.

King Mswati is in the country for five-day official visit and is expected to return to Swaziland on Saturday.