The official opposition party, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), has accused President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of appointing and redeploying ambassadors under a veil of secrecy, saying the lack of transparency undermines trust in Namibia’s diplomatic system.

IPC’s shadow minister of international relations, Rodney Cloete, said the Presidency failed to openly announce the commissioning and redeployment of Heads of Mission, creating confusion and suspicion both locally and internationally.

“The President (Nandi-Ndaitwah) declared diplomatic appointments ‘a solemn trust’. That trust has been compromised. Namibians deserve answers,” Cloete said.

The criticism follows confirmation by the Presidential spokesperson, Jonas Mbambo, that several unannounced ambassadors had already assumed duties abroad, despite no prior public announcement.

However, the Presidency vehemently denied operating in an opaque world, saying anything suggesting that ambassadorial appointments were concealed is “misplaced and incorrect.”

In a statement issued by the Presidential spokesperson Jonas Mbambo, the Presidency said it had taken note of reports suggesting that certain ambassadorial appointments and redeployments were done secretly.

“This perception is misplaced and incorrect,” Mbambo said.

He said the Presidency had deliberately waited to issue a collective announcement because diplomatic processes differ from country to country and were still ongoing in some cases.

“This statement serves to formally communicate the redeployed Heads of Mission, as well as newly appointed Heads of Mission,” Mbambo said.

Not impressed

In a statement yesterday, Cloete said the lack of transparency around diplomatic appointments has created confusion, suspicion and unnecessary diplomatic embarrassment for Namibia.

“This is not just about protocol. It is about secrecy, poor governance and a disturbing pattern where critical State appointments are made without informing the public or parliament,” the opposition said.

The controversy surfaced after questions were raised about recently commissioned ambassadors whose appointments were not publicly announced by the Presidency at the time they were deployed.

Confirmation

Mbambo confirmed the appointment of Hopelong Uushona Ipinge, who has already presented his letters of credence to President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Congo Republic during a formal ceremony held in Brazzaville on 22 December 2025.

The presentation of credentials officially marked Ipinge’s assumption of duty as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Namibia to the Congo Republic, thereby strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, while Namibians are not aware.

Mbambo also confirmed the appointment of his father and former Kavango governor Samuel Mbambo as Namibia’s Ambassador to Algeria. Mbambo senior formally presented copies of his credentials to Ahmed Attaf, Algeria’s minister of foreign affairs and national community abroad, on 12 December 2025. The diplomat and politician previously served as Namibia’s ambassador to the Russian Federation as well as high commissioner to India.

However, the opposition argues that these confirmations came after the fact, reinforcing claims that the Presidency failed to follow standard public communication practices.

“Namibians should not learn about ambassadorial appointments only after foreign governments have received our envoys,” the statement said.

The IPC opposition warned that secretive appointments weaken public confidence in the Presidency and the Ministry of International Relations and Trade.

“Diplomatic appointments are a solemn public trust. They cannot be handled quietly behind closed doors as if they are private arrangements,” the statement said.

The opposition further questioned why some appointments were announced late, while others became public only after foreign engagements were completed.

“This pattern suggests either deliberate concealment or alarming administrative disorder at the highest level of government,” the opposition said.

The party has called for full disclosure of all ambassadorial appointments made since the inauguration of Nandi-Ndaitwah, including dates of commissioning, agrément status and deployment timelines.

“This is not an isolated incident. It reflects a pattern where critical appointments are handled quietly, without transparency or accountability to the parliament and the public,” Cloete said.

Clarification

According to Mbambo, ambassadors are commissioned once and may later be redeployed without requiring a new commissioning ceremony.

“In line with established diplomatic practice, Heads of Mission are commissioned once, after which they may be redeployed from one posting to another, either directly or following administrative processes at home,” he said.

Mbambo added that diplomatic formalities, such as the granting of agrément and the presentation of Letters of Credence, do not follow the same timelines in every country.

“Diplomatic processes, including the receipt of agréments and the presentation of Letters of Credence, differ from one host country to another. While some Heads of Mission have already presented their Letters of Credence, others are still awaiting the completion of these formalities,” he said.

He said it was considered appropriate to issue a public announcement once the process had sufficiently progressed.

The Presidency also dismissed suggestions that information was deliberately withheld, noting that several ambassadors had already made their engagements public.

“It is also noteworthy that a number of Heads of Mission have already publicly shared their diplomatic engagements, including the presentation of their Letters of Credence, through official channels and social media platforms,” Mbambo said.

“This reflects the routine and visible nature of these deployments and underscores that there has been no intention to conceal or withhold information,” he added.

Mbambo also published a comprehensive list of all Heads of Mission appointed or redeployed by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah since she was sworn in in March 2025, as part of efforts to clarify the matter and address public concerns. 

–He said the list demonstrates that ambassadorial appointments have followed an orderly process and were not done in secrecy.

According to the list, the President has appointed or redeployed ambassadors and high commissioners to 24 diplomatic missions, including Algeria (Samuel Mbambo), Angola (Leonard Iipumbu), Belgium (Alfredo Tjiurimo Hengari), China (Tonata Emvula), Congo Republic (Hopelong Iipinge), Ghana (Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata), Nigeria (Walde Ndevashiya), Russia (Monica Nashandi), South Africa (Frieda Ithete), the United Kingdom (Veiccoh Nghiwete), the United States in Washington (Wilbard Hellao) and Namibia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (Penda Naanda), among others.

The list also includes postings to France, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Egypt, Cuba, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

– ljason@nepc.com.na