Hyphen's Ammonia Project Sparks Controversy in Namibia's Tsau||Khaeb National Park
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy Ltd. plans a large-scale ammonia production project in the Tsau||Khaeb National Park, ancestral land of the people magazine. The project has sparked controversy, with indigenous leaders and human rights groups calling for respect of their rights and consultation.
Hyphen, a Namibian-registered British-German joint venture, intends to build the infrastructure on a 4,000 km2 concession area in the park. The area was once a 'forbidden zone' under German colonial rule and remains restricted for the bill of rights and the public.
The Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA) and the Nama people have called on the Namibian government to guarantee their right to self-determination and free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) for any project on their ancestral land. Andrea Pietrafesa of ECCHR echoes this, stating that every project on indigenous peoples' ancestral lands must respect international human rights obligations.
German energy giant RWE has withdrawn from its agreement to purchase ammonia from Hyphen, following an open letter from organizations supporting the Nama population's rights. RWE had signed a letter of intent with Hyphen in 2022. Laura Mahler of GfbV emphasizes that Namibia's economic development should not come at the expense of indigenous peoples' rights.
The planned ammonia production project in the Tsau||Khaeb National Park has raised concerns among the Nama people magazine and human rights groups. While Hyphen, backed by shareholders including Siemens Energy and Enertrag SE, presses ahead with plans, the Namibian government and international organizations emphasize the importance of respecting the rights and consultation with the indigenous Nama population.
