Diplomatic shake-up on the cards

Government's appointment of ambassador Jerobeam Kakeke Shaanika as executive director and accounting officer of the International Relations and Trade ministry (MIRT) has set in motion a diplomatic reshuffle affecting Namibia's missions in Germany, Geneva and Malaysia.

The Office of the Prime Minister last week confirmed Shaanika's appointment, paving the way for his return from Berlin, where he has been serving as Namibia's ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Germany.

His stint in Germany was short-lived, having only presented his credentials to the European country's leadership in November 2025.

As part of the reshuffle, current international relations and trade ministry executive director Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati is expected to be appointed as Namibia's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva.

Before joining the ministry, Nghipondoka-Robiati served as chief executive officer of the Namibia Trade Forum and lectured agricultural economics at the University of Namibia. She holds a master's degree in agricultural economics from the University of Sydney in Australia.

Nghipondoka-Robiati declined to comment ahead of an official announcement.

"There is no announcement that has been made yet," she told Namibian Sun. "Such appointments are only made by the head of state, so it is unfair really to expect me to comment on something like this."

Senior government sources familiar with the appointments told this publication that Julia Imene-Chanduru was initially favoured over Shaanika for the substantive executive director position at the international and trade ministry.

She is currently acting executive director at the international relations ministry while transitioning from her previous role as Namibia's permanent representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva.

Diplomatic career

Meanwhile, Namibia's permanent representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Elvis Toolouta Shiweda, is expected to be appointed ambassador to Germany.

A career diplomat, Shiweda has served in Europe, Africa and at the ministry's headquarters. His experience spans bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, as well as senior management within the foreign ministry.

He holds a master of arts in international relations from Webster University and a bachelor of business administration in marketing management from the University of Namibia.

Shiweda said he was prepared to serve wherever government deems appropriate.

"We serve at the discretion of the president, and we are in service to the nation. So, I am ready to be deployed anywhere," he said.

Veteran civil servant

Senior presidential advisor Christine ǁHoebes is expected to be appointed Namibia's ambassador to Malaysia.

A seasoned politician, ǁHoebes served as minister in the Presidency from 2020 to 2025, deputy minister of international relations and cooperation between 2018 and 2020, and deputy minister in the Presidency from 2015 to 2018.

Before joining Cabinet, she served as personal assistant to former president Hifikepunye Pohamba. She also became Namibia's youngest mayor when she was elected to lead the Witvlei Village Council at the age of 23.

ǁHoebes holds qualifications in education, international relations, management, leadership and diplomacy.

She also declined to comment before the appointment process had been finalised.

"In my experience, when a nomination is made, the receiving state should first grant agrément, followed by a commissioning ceremony. Seeing that none of that has happened, it would be premature for me to discuss this matter," she said.

Under diplomatic protocol, agrément is the formal consent granted by a receiving state before an ambassador may assume office.

The latest reshuffle comes amid heightened scrutiny of Namibia's ambassadorial appointments over the past year.

Namibian Sun previously reported that several appointments were delayed by lengthy due diligence processes in host countries, while some receiving states expressed reservations about particular nominees.

In January, Ghana questioned Namibia's decision to announce and commission former agriculture ministry executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata as high commissioner-designate while Accra was still considering Namibia's request for agrément.

Efforts to obtain comment from international relations and trade minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi were unsuccessful, as her cellphone was switched off.