Namibian Independence Conference Poster
April 1983.
Offset litho on paper. Published by the United Nations Department of Public Information.
The International Conference in Support of the Struggle of the Namibian People for Independence was held at UNESCO House in Paris from 25 to 29 April 1983. Organized by the United Nations, it was a pivotal diplomatic event aimed at accelerating Namibia's transition to independence from South African occupation.
Key Outcomes and Documents
Paris Declaration on Namibia (1983): The conference concluded with the adoption of this declaration, which reaffirmed the international community's commitment to Namibian self-determination.
Support for SWAPO: The conference recognized the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) as the sole and authentic representative of the Namibian people.
Economic Pressure: Participants reviewed reports on transnational corporations and foreign economic interests operating in Namibia, seeking to end the "plunder" of its natural resources in violation of UN decrees.
Security Council Resolution 435: The gathering addressed the ongoing impasse regarding the implementation of UN Resolution 435, which provided the framework for a peaceful transition to independence.
Background and Context
Organizer: The conference was organized by the United Nations Council for Namibia.
Strategic Goal: It sought to isolate South Africa morally and diplomatically while building global awareness of the Namibian struggle during a period of intense repression.
Documentation: Extensive reports were presented during the five-day session, including detailed accounts of social conditions in Namibia under apartheid and the legal feasibility of proceedings against firms trading in Namibian products.
Namibia gained independence from South African administration on March 21 1990, following a long armed liberation struggle led by SWAPO. The nation, formerly known as South West Africa, adopted a democratic constitution and inaugurated Sam Nujoma as its first president. Walvis Bay was later integrated into Namibia in 1994.
Namibia was under German rule (1884-1915) and subsequently administered by South Africa under a League of Nations mandate. The South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) led a guerrilla war, with the UN recognizing them as the official representative of the Namibian people in 1973.
Sam Nujoma became the founding president, and the independence ceremony was attended by international figures, including Nelson Mandela.
The transition to independence was supported by a UN-led plan, with independence achieved on March 21, 1990.
560mm x 865mm
R2,000
