President Masisi's Namibia problem: The case for 'Secret Diplomacy'

In 2018, CIA director Mike Pompeo made a clandestine trip to Pyongyang to meet with Kim Jong-Un. Historically, and closer to home, ‘quiet’ backchannel diplomacy by international and regional actors were crucial in the transition of South Africa from apartheid to democratic rule. I’m confident that in the early years of the Botswana Republic as well, many backchannel negotiations were conducted to draw us to where we are today.

Secret diplomacy is a well-known and well-practised method of conducting international negotiations and diplomatic processes away from public scrutiny and attention. President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his Namibian counterpart, President Geingob are faced with a difficult task of presiding over an emotionally charged disagreement.