Namibia

Namibia (formerly called South West Africa) was a German Colony in the late 19th century. In 1918 at the end of the First World War, the territory was taken over by the League of Nations and administered under a mandate system, as a "sacred trust for the indigenous peoples" by the Union of South Africa. In 1947 the Government of South Africa refused to place the territory under the United Nations Trusteeship System along with other former mandated territories in Africa. In defiance of numerous UN decisions the South African Government continues to refuse to withdraw from Namibia. It has imposed its policy of Apartheid and will not allow the UN Council for Namibia to take over and guide the territory towards independence. The UN Council for Namibia insists that genuine independence is only possible under UN auspices.

Martti Ahtisaari (second from right), Commissioner for Namibia, with two members of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), Danial Tjongarero (second from left), Vice-Chairman, and M. Tiilabanello (left).

[This is an unprocessed archival image and not available for download. If you would like to use this image, please contact the UN Photo Library.]