Namibia Owes $30,000

Namibia has not yet paid its contribution to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre (MCSCC), with a total of US$30,000 expected for 2024, 2025, and 2026. The centre, headquartered in Katembe, Maputo, Mozambique, aims to strengthen the fight against illegal fishing in the SADC region.

The expected contribution from Namibia is broken down into an annual payment of US$10,000. Despite not having made the financial contribution, Namibia has supported the centre through 'in-kind' contributions, including nominating and endorsing the current centre chairperson, Stanley Ndara.

Ndara, the centre's board chairperson, has called on SADC member states to urgently make their contributions, citing the centre's current financial situation as unsustainable. The funding challenge is affecting the centre's ability to recruit staff, which may hinder its efforts to combat illegal fishing.

## Why it matters The MCSCC plays a crucial role in strengthening fisheries monitoring, control, and surveillance across the SADC region. The centre's efforts are particularly focused on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and fisheries crimes. With the centre's financial situation being unsustainable, the lack of contributions from member states like Namibia may undermine its ability to effectively carry out its mandate.

The MCSCC was inaugurated on 11 June, and its board chairperson has emphasized the need for member states to contribute an annual amount of US$10,000. As the centre continues to face funding challenges, it remains to be seen when Namibia will make its contribution, which is expected to cover the period from 2024 to 2026.