EDITORIAL: Diplomatic missions are not retirement villages
Last week, international relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Namibia at an annual diplomatic briefing.
Over the years, there has been little focus on the area of diplomacy and positioning Namibia to make headway in the affairs of the world.
The country needs a serious overhaul in terms of diplomacy to be able to champion national, regional and even continental development.
Ambassadorial positions are critical postings and require dynamic diplomats to fight for our nation and position it in a global battle for resources, especially amid the ongoing economic challenges.
We should not treat ambassador postings as retirement villages or a way to exile those who have run their course in different political meanderings and strategies within the ruling party. Our foreign missions need an injection of energy and President Geingob, as part of his ‘legacy’ term, has one last opportunity to appoint strategic and capable Namibians in these roles.
World powers like China have placed high priority on foreign policy by appointing young, dynamic diplomats to defend their interests abroad. They are doing so effectively, even here in Namibia.
We should take a stand in the interest of our country’s future and stop putting old wine into new bottles or recycling those who will lay back in deck chairs while on an overseas jaunt, paying little attention to Namibia’s interests.
Over the years, there has been little focus on the area of diplomacy and positioning Namibia to make headway in the affairs of the world.
The country needs a serious overhaul in terms of diplomacy to be able to champion national, regional and even continental development.
Ambassadorial positions are critical postings and require dynamic diplomats to fight for our nation and position it in a global battle for resources, especially amid the ongoing economic challenges.
We should not treat ambassador postings as retirement villages or a way to exile those who have run their course in different political meanderings and strategies within the ruling party. Our foreign missions need an injection of energy and President Geingob, as part of his ‘legacy’ term, has one last opportunity to appoint strategic and capable Namibians in these roles.
World powers like China have placed high priority on foreign policy by appointing young, dynamic diplomats to defend their interests abroad. They are doing so effectively, even here in Namibia.
We should take a stand in the interest of our country’s future and stop putting old wine into new bottles or recycling those who will lay back in deck chairs while on an overseas jaunt, paying little attention to Namibia’s interests.
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Namibian Sun
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