The University of EdinburghPeace Agreements DatabasePeaceRep

Joint Statement, Windhoek

  • Country/entity

    Namibia
    South Africa
  • Region

    Africa (excl MENA)
    Africa (excl MENA)
  • Agreement name

    Joint Statement, Windhoek
  • Date

    17 May 1991
  • Agreement status

    Multiparty signed/agreed
  • Interim arrangement

    Yes
  • Agreement/conflict level

  • Stage

    Pre-negotiation/process
  • Conflict nature

    Territory
  • Peace process

    South Africa - Namibia process
  • Parties

    South Africa, Namibia
  • Third parties

    -
  • Description

    The short document summarizes the results of a meeting of both countries' delegations to discuss the question of Walvis Bay and the Off-Shore islands and the boundary between the two countries on the Orange River. The possibility of a joint administration as an interim solution was discussed.


Groups

  • Children/youth

    No specific mention.

  • Disabled persons

    No specific mention.

  • Elderly/age

    No specific mention.

  • Migrant workers

    No specific mention.

  • Racial/ethnic/national group

    No specific mention.

  • Religious groups

    No specific mention.

  • Indigenous people

    No specific mention.

  • Other groups

    No specific mention.

  • Refugees/displaced persons

    No specific mention.

  • Social class

    No specific mention.


Gender

  • Women, girls and gender

    No specific mention.

  • Men and boys

    No specific mention.

  • LGBTI

    No specific mention.

  • Family

    No specific mention.


State definition

  • Nature of state (general)

    No specific mention.

  • State configuration

    No specific mention.

  • Self determination

    No specific mention.

  • Referendum

    No specific mention.

  • State symbols

    No specific mention.

  • Independence/secession

    No specific mention.

  • Accession/unification

    No specific mention.

  • Border delimitation
    Page 1,
    ... Both Delegations believe that progress has been made. The Governments further agree that the middle of the Orange River should be the boundary between their two countries and that a Joint Technical Committee be established to demarcate the boundary.
  • Cross-border provision
    Page 1,
    ... The Delegations discussed in depth the possibility of a Joint Administration as an interim arrangement, pending an eventual settlement of the aforesaid question, and will report back to their respective Governments on this issue. ...

Governance

  • Political institutions (new or reformed)

    No specific mention.

  • Elections

    No specific mention.

  • Electoral commission

    No specific mention.

  • Political parties reform

    No specific mention.

  • Civil society

    No specific mention.

  • Traditional/religious leaders

    No specific mention.

  • Public administration

    No specific mention.

  • Constitution

    No specific mention.


Power sharing

  • Political power sharing
    Power sharing→Political power sharing→General
    State level
    Page 1,
    ... The Delegations discussed in depth the possibility of a Joint Administration as an interim arrangement, pending an eventual settlement of the aforesaid question, and will report back to their respective Governments on this issue. ...
  • Territorial power sharing

    No specific mention.

  • Economic power sharing

    No specific mention.

  • Military power sharing

    No specific mention.


Human rights and equality

  • Human rights/RoL general

    No specific mention.

  • Bill of rights/similar

    No specific mention.

  • Treaty incorporation

    No specific mention.

  • Civil and political rights

    No specific mention.

  • Socio-economic rights

    No specific mention.


Rights related issues

  • Citizenship

    No specific mention.

  • Democracy

    No specific mention.

  • Detention procedures

    No specific mention.

  • Media and communication

    No specific mention.

  • Mobility/access

    No specific mention.

  • Protection measures

    No specific mention.

  • Other

    No specific mention.


Rights institutions

  • NHRI

    No specific mention.

  • Regional or international human rights institutions

    No specific mention.


Justice sector reform

  • Criminal justice and emergency law

    No specific mention.

  • State of emergency provisions

    No specific mention.

  • Judiciary and courts

    No specific mention.

  • Prisons and detention

    No specific mention.

  • Traditional Laws

    No specific mention.


Socio-economic reconstruction

  • Development or socio-economic reconstruction

    No specific mention.

  • National economic plan

    No specific mention.

  • Natural resources

    No specific mention.

  • International funds

    No specific mention.

  • Business

    No specific mention.

  • Taxation

    No specific mention.

  • Banks

    No specific mention.


Land, property and environment

  • Land reform/rights

    No specific mention.

  • Pastoralist/nomadism rights

    No specific mention.

  • Cultural heritage

    No specific mention.

  • Environment

    No specific mention.

  • Water or riparian rights or access

    No specific mention.


Security sector

  • Security Guarantees

    No specific mention.

  • Ceasefire

    No specific mention.

  • Police

    No specific mention.

  • Armed forces

    No specific mention.

  • DDR

    No specific mention.

  • Intelligence services

    No specific mention.

  • Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces

    No specific mention.

  • Withdrawal of foreign forces

    No specific mention.

  • Corruption

    No specific mention.

  • Crime/organised crime

    No specific mention.

  • Drugs

    No specific mention.

  • Terrorism

    No specific mention.


Transitional justice

  • Transitional justice general

    No specific mention.

  • Amnesty/pardon

    No specific mention.

  • Courts

    No specific mention.

  • Mechanism

    No specific mention.

  • Prisoner release

    No specific mention.

  • Vetting

    No specific mention.

  • Victims

    No specific mention.

  • Missing persons

    No specific mention.

  • Reparations

    No specific mention.

  • Reconciliation

    No specific mention.


Implementation

  • UN signatory

    No specific mention.

  • Other international signatory

    No specific mention.

  • Referendum for agreement

    No specific mention.

  • International mission/force/similar

    No specific mention.

  • Enforcement mechanism

    No specific mention.

  • Related cases

    No specific mention.

  • Source
    International Legal Materials
    Vol. 32, No. 4 (JULY 1993), pp. 1152-1158

JOINT STATEMENT

WINDHOEK, 17TH MAY 1991.

The Delegations of the Governments of the Republic of Namibia and the Republic of South Africa, headed by their respective Foreign Ministers, met in Windhoek in the Republic of Namibia on the 17th May 1991 as a follow up to their meeting in Cape Town in the Republic of South Africa on the 14th March 1991 to resolve the question of Walvis Bay and the Off-Shore islands and the boundary between the two countries on the Orange River.

The Delegations discussed in depth the possibility of a Joint Administration as an interim arrangement, pending an eventual settlement of the aforesaid question, and will report back to their respective Governments on this issue.

Thereafter, a further Joint Statement will be made.

Both Delegations believe that progress has been made.

The Governments further agree that the middle of the Orange River should be the boundary between their two countries and that a Joint Technical Committee be established to demarcate the boundary.