**Kavango East Governor Calls for Renewed Talks on Permanent Bridge with Angola**
*Rundu, Namibia – August 28, 2026* – Hamunyera Hambyuka, the governor of Namibia’s Kavango East region, has urged both governments to restart negotiations on a permanent bridge across the Kavango River at Rundu. The governor said the existing temporary floating bridge, installed in 2014, is under “unsustainable pressure” due to high traffic volumes and that a permanent structure is needed to support regional trade.
Hambyuka indicated that Angola is willing to resume discussions and that the bilateral committee established after a 2015 memorandum of understanding (MoU) remains active. He added that he has contacted the Angolan consulate in Rundu to confirm the availability of former committee members for further talks.
**Background**
In March 2015, Namibian President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah, then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, and Angolan Minister of External Relations George Chicoty signed an MoU in Calai, Angola. The agreement called for the construction of three permanent bridges over the Kavango River:
1. A bridge linking Rundu (Namibia) and Calai (Angola).
2. A bridge between Nkurenkuru (Namibia) and Forte Kwangali (Angola).
3. A bridge in the Gciriku area of Ndiyona (Namibia).
At the time, Nandi‑Ndaitwah emphasized that the bridges would “increase trade and communication” between the two countries and contribute to the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) broader development goals, as well as align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision for continental infrastructure development. Chicoty described the MoU as a “long‑awaited” step that would “boost our economies” and facilitate business and other activities.
**Current Status**
The temporary floating bridge, erected in 2014, remains the sole crossing point at Rundu. A recent cleanup operation at the site, conducted on 23 August 2026, highlighted the bridge’s deteriorating condition and reinforced calls for a permanent solution. No construction timeline has been announced since the 2015 MoU, and the three regional governors identified in the agreement have yet to deliver a detailed implementation plan.
Hambyuka’s appeal comes amid growing trade between Namibia and Angola, particularly within the SADC framework, and reflects broader regional efforts to improve cross‑border infrastructure. He indicated that while “the conversation regarding the permanent bridge will take long,” the existing bilateral mechanisms provide a foundation for renewed negotiations.
**Next Steps**
The governor plans to engage directly with Angolan officials, including the consul general in Rundu, to assess the feasibility of advancing the bridge project. Stakeholders anticipate that any renewed agreement will need to address funding, construction timelines, and coordination among the three regions slated for bridge development.
*For further information, contact the Kavango East Governor’s Office, Rundu.*
Article and image source: allafrica.com
