In a sharp escalation of its immigration policy, British home secretary Shabana Mahmood has warned that the UK could suspend or restrict visas for Namibian citizens if the Namibian government does not step up cooperation in accepting the return of failed asylum seekers. The statement was delivered during a high-stakes address in the House of Commons, where Mahmood vowed to impose “penalties” on countries that “do not play ball.”
The announcement comes as part of a sweeping overhaul of the UK’s asylum system — described by Mahmood as the most significant reform “in modern times.”
The proposed measures would allow the UK to suspend visa issuance to citizens of Namibia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo if their governments refuse to improve co-operation on deportations.
The Independent reported that Mahmood made clear her message: “Accept the return of your citizens or lose the privilege of entering our country.”
The venue for the declaration — the House of Commons — underscores how central this issue is to the UK’s political agenda.
According to media reports, Mahmood used the parliamentary stage to lay out not only the visa threat but also broader reforms, including limiting asylum appeals and tightening how the European Convention on Human Rights is applied in the UK.
From Namibia’s perspective, the threat is serious and likely to re-ignite diplomatic tensions. The two countries already have a complicated history on visas and migration.
In 2023, the UK introduced visa requirements for Namibian nationals following a surge in asylum claims.
Many Namibians saw the move as punitive, particularly those who travel to the UK for business, tourism or family reasons.
Namibia’s government now faces a delicate balancing act. On one hand, it risks being seen as defiant and uncooperative by the UK. On the other hand, acceding to demands under duress may carry political and reputational costs at home.
Critics of Mahmood’s approach argue that such visa threats could worsen instability.
They caution that strained relations may discourage future visas, hit bilateral trade, and disrupt academic and cultural links between Namibia and the UK — all for a migration issue that, according to some, would be better managed through dialogue rather than sanctions.
The announcement comes as part of a sweeping overhaul of the UK’s asylum system — described by Mahmood as the most significant reform “in modern times.”
The proposed measures would allow the UK to suspend visa issuance to citizens of Namibia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo if their governments refuse to improve co-operation on deportations.
The Independent reported that Mahmood made clear her message: “Accept the return of your citizens or lose the privilege of entering our country.”
The venue for the declaration — the House of Commons — underscores how central this issue is to the UK’s political agenda.
According to media reports, Mahmood used the parliamentary stage to lay out not only the visa threat but also broader reforms, including limiting asylum appeals and tightening how the European Convention on Human Rights is applied in the UK.
From Namibia’s perspective, the threat is serious and likely to re-ignite diplomatic tensions. The two countries already have a complicated history on visas and migration.
In 2023, the UK introduced visa requirements for Namibian nationals following a surge in asylum claims.
Many Namibians saw the move as punitive, particularly those who travel to the UK for business, tourism or family reasons.
Namibia’s government now faces a delicate balancing act. On one hand, it risks being seen as defiant and uncooperative by the UK. On the other hand, acceding to demands under duress may carry political and reputational costs at home.
Critics of Mahmood’s approach argue that such visa threats could worsen instability.
They caution that strained relations may discourage future visas, hit bilateral trade, and disrupt academic and cultural links between Namibia and the UK — all for a migration issue that, according to some, would be better managed through dialogue rather than sanctions.
