Pohamba to reshuffle diplomats

WINDHOEKTOIVO NDJEBELAScores of Namibian diplomats based abroad arrived in the country this week for a reshuffle that President Hifikepunye Pohamba is expected to announce in the coming days. Namibian Sun understands that Foreign Affairs Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has concluded a process started last year by her predecessor, Utoni Nujoma, which looked into the redeployment of the country's diplomats. In a meeting held on February 23, 2012, Pohamba directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to draft recommendations for the redeployment of ambassadors, but no announcement has been made yet. Instead, Pohamba reshuffled his Cabinet in December last year, while permanent secretaries were also redeployed earlier in the year. This newspaper has established that many Namibian foreign missions are currently without ambassadors, as they had to come and hear news of their next postings. Sources in government and Swapo claim there is a massive jostling among ambassadors, with many preferring to be posted to countries such as the United States and Britain instead of economically struggling countries like Zimbabwe and North Africa. &quot;Many of them are fighting to be sent to London and New York,&quot; a source said. New faces are to be added to the country's throng of ambassadors, while some of the veteran incumbents are expected to be recalled home permanently. The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture, Steve Katjiuanjo, is rumoured to be among the new faces being considered for diplomatic posting. A document in Namibian Sun's possession suggests that at least six heads of Namibia's diplomatic missions will be recalled permanently. The document, dated February 24, 2012, surprisingly suggests a demotion for Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Peya Mushelenga, who it says should be appointed as Namibia's ambassador to the USA. The current ambassador to the USA, Martin Andjamba, is said to be in line to be posted to Ethiopia and the African Union (AU). Ringo Abed, currently based in DRC, has also been linked to Ethiopia and the EU. He is apparently to be replaced in DRC by the counsellor at the Namibian embassy in Angola, Pius Dunaiski. Those who are - according to the document - destined for a permanent recall are Daniel Smith, currently in Sweden, Hopelong Ipinge (Brazil) and George Liswaniso (United Kingdom). Veteran ambassador Martin Kapewasha, who is currently based in South Africa, and Panduleni Shingenge, presently Namibia's ambassador to Zimbabwe, are also said to be facing a recall. Shingenge was initially tipped to replace retired Veiccoh Nghiwete as permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but sources say she may have blown her chance. &quot;Being a permanent secretary means you are an accounting officer, but Shingenge's handling of finances at the embassy in Zimbabwe has been questionable, so she's not likely to secure the PS position,&quot; Namibian Sun was told. Foreign Affairs Ministry sources say Shingenge is likely to head the bilateral affairs department in the ministry. Smith and Ipinge are expected to be redeployed in the public service, while Liswaniso might be appointed to head the department of multilateral affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Anne Mutelo, who is currently Namibia's diplomatic representative at the AU and Ethiopia, is tipped for appointment as ambassador to Austria. The current ambassador to Austria, Raphael Dinyando, may be on his way to Sweden, while Sophia Nangombe, counsellor at the Namibian High Commission in India, may become ambassador to Cuba. Neville Gertze has been recommended for a switch from Germany to South Africa, and would be replaced by Wilbard Hellao in Germany. Pohamba is expected to redeploy the current high commissioner to Tanzania, Japhet Isaack, to Japan. He would be replaced in Tanzania by the deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Balbina Pienaar. Jerobeam Shaanika, minister counsellor at the Namibian Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN), is in line to be appointed as ambassador to Zimbabwe. The deputy director for bilateral affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sabine BÃ¶lke-MÃ¶ller, may be shipped to Geneva. Calls to Nandi-Ndaitwah's mobile number went unanswered.

Pohamba to reshuffle diplomats

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-16

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Pohamba to reshuffle diplomats

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-16

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