Namibia: Birth of a Nation

On 21 March 1990 Namibia was born as a free, sovereign and independent nation. Namibia's struggle for independence has been on the United Nations agenda for over 40 years. The United Nations Security Council's landmark Resolution 435 of 1978 served as the blueprint paving the way towards independence. The United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) composed of 8000 military, police and civilian personnel monitored the entire electoral process from voter registration to the final certification of the elections as being free and fair, helping Namibia join the ranks of the community of nations.

Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar (second from right) meets with James Baker (second from left), Secretary of State of the United States, at the United Nations Transition Assistance Group's Headquarters in Windhoek, ahead of the ceremonies to celebrate Namibia's independence.