Namibia and South Africa fail to resolve Orange River border dispute

The long-standing dispute over the Orange River boundary between Namibia and South Africa remains unresolved following the fourth Namibia-South Africa Binational Commission in Pretoria. Namibia argues the border should run through the middle of the river, citing modern international law, while South Africa maintains it follows the river’s northern bank based on the 1890 Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed hope for an urgent solution to provide legal certainty, noting the issue has been on the agenda since 1991. The disagreement has implications for territorial jurisdiction, natural resources, and future developments in the Orange River Basin. Nandi-Ndaitwah stated that she and South African president Cyril Ramaphosa will now handle the matter directly, with a dedicated meeting planned for the first quarter of 2027. Previous attempts by foreign affairs and justice ministries, as well as a joint committee of experts, failed to reach a final agreement. Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani criticized the lack of progress, accusing South Africa of avoiding meaningful discussion. Ramaphosa highlighted the economic potential of the Orange Basin as a promising new energy frontier. Former ambassador Tuliameni Kalomoh and retired diplomat Pius Dunaiski emphasized the need for African leaders to resolve colonial-era border disputes through dialogue and commitment to integration, proposing practical solutions for citizens living in each