Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry: "On behalf of President Obama and the citizens of the United States, I am delighted to congratulate the government and people of Namibia on the 26th anniversary of your independence on March 21.

"On this occasion, we celebrate the friendship between our two countries, and express our wish to continue to strengthen the relationships between our governments and our people.

"Our mutual commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and the other values we share is at the heart of our partnership. As our two nations work together, we are creating an even brighter future for Namibians. Giving young men and women the skills they need to help lead their communities through the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), combatting HIV/AIDS through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and increasing our shared efforts to combat wildlife trafficking are just a few of the ways we are collaborating to build a stronger, more prosperous Namibia.

"The United States joins with the people of Namibia as you celebrate your independence, and we stand with you as partners and friends."