Newsletter Update: Namibia Compact Ratified in Windhoek

In the most recent MCA Monitor newsletter, we noted that the Namibian Compact was stalled due to pending ratification by the National Assembly. This ratification came last week in Windhoek after a tumultuous period of public debate fostered by misunderstandings on many fronts: whether it was a grant or a loan (all MCC compacts are grants), the manner in which Etosha National Park concessions would be granted (by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism), and the reasons for not utilizing the Namibian Tender Board Act procurement law persisted (MCC routinely requires procurement procedures beyond national regulations).The National Assembly delayed the ratification vote – originally scheduled for early October – to examine the grant more closely regarding these issues. In the end, however, these issues were addressed and led to a passing vote, with objectors expressing a “change of heart” but maintaining “minor objections” to the program.