A court case challenging a Russian billionaire's control over massive Namibian farmland has failed. Judge Orben Sibeya rejected the Popular Democratic Movement's attempt to stop the land deal. The ruling allows Rashid Sardarov to keep his 99-year lease on four farms covering more than 17,000 hectares. His Swiss company Comsar Properties will continue operating the land near Windhoek. The judge found no law preventing foreign companies from leasing agricultural land with government permission.
The deal works through an unusual arrangement between Sardarov's company and Namibia's government. Comsar Properties paid 43.4 million Namibian dollars to buy the four farms from their original owners. The company donated the land to the government immediately after purchase. The government agreed to lease the same farms back to Comsar Properties for 99 years. Judge Sibeya said this setup doesn't break any existing laws about foreign land ownership.
The Popular Democratic Movement argued the arrangement was designed to avoid rules limiting foreign control of Nambian farms. The party wanted the court to cancel the lease agreement and declare it unlawful. Judge Sibeya disagreed and said the minister has authority to approve such lease deals. The ruling means Sardarov can continue expanding his game reserve operations across the region.
The deal works through an unusual arrangement between Sardarov's company and Namibia's government. Comsar Properties paid 43.4 million Namibian dollars to buy the four farms from their original owners. The company donated the land to the government immediately after purchase. The government agreed to lease the same farms back to Comsar Properties for 99 years. Judge Sibeya said this setup doesn't break any existing laws about foreign land ownership.
The Popular Democratic Movement argued the arrangement was designed to avoid rules limiting foreign control of Nambian farms. The party wanted the court to cancel the lease agreement and declare it unlawful. Judge Sibeya disagreed and said the minister has authority to approve such lease deals. The ruling means Sardarov can continue expanding his game reserve operations across the region.
