Trouble in paradise? - Geingob and Nandi-Ndaitwah’s travel mystery
The omission of international relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah from the travelling delegation of President Hage Geingob has been flagged as a diplomatic anomaly, but the presidency says there is no rift between the two.
With Geingob having gone on almost 10 international trips this year, Nandi-Ndaitwah has only been part of his delegation on one - when they travelled to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum in May.
She is, however, expected to join him in Rwanda today for a Commonwealth heads of state meeting.
Since the start of 2022, Geingob has been to Belgium, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Ivory Coast, Zambia and to Qatar twice.
At least three senior government sources who spoke to Namibian Sun said the current travelling arrangement is unusual because “it is a universal practice for presidents to travel with their foreign affairs ministers”.
“It is difficult to tell what is really going on behind the scenes, but something is definitely not right. The president would always travel with her [Nandi-Ndaitwah] when he became president. One wonders what changed,” one of the sources said.
Meanwhile, there are also speculations that the upcoming Swapo Party congress later this year might be working its way into state affairs.
Critics claim her omission from trips is linked to the upcoming congress, where both Geingob and Nandi-Ndaitwah - in their respective roles as Swapo president and vice-president - are expected to play key roles.
Nandi-Ndaitwah has presented subtle hints about her intentions to contest for the holy grail of the party and eventually succeed Geingob. Whether he will support her in her succession plans remains a political puzzle only time will solve.
Diplomatic analysis
Seasoned diplomat Tuliameni Kalomoh this week said “it is not compulsory for presidents to travel with their foreign affairs ministers, but having them by their side on trips is an established norm”.
Public policy analyst Dr Marius Kudumo echoed Kalomoh’s sentiments, saying “generally, you would expect the international relations minister to form part of the president’s delegation abroad - unless there are valid reasons”.
He added: “We are seeing a phenomenon that we have not seen before, but we cannot describe it unless we know what is really going on.”
“International engagements are about seniority and international relations ministers, with their counterparts, lay the groundwork for the presidents. In the diplomatic space, the real issues are discussed in informal settings, so it is important to engage at an appropriate seniority level or else the other party might not be comfortable to discuss in-depth matters,” he explained.
When approached to comment on her omission from trips, Nandi-Ndaitwah on Monday said “I do not compose his [Geingob’s] delegation”.
She downplayed the situation, adding: “I will be with the president in Rwanda, so I really do not see what the issue is here.”
Rwanda is hosting a Commonwealth heads of government meeting, which brings together leaders and representatives from the group's 54 members.
No fallout
Presidential spokesperson Dr Alfredo Hengari this week poured cold water on talks of a fallout between the two.
“President Geingob and the deputy prime minister enjoy a warm, cordial and professional relationship at government level, including in their respective roles as the top two leaders of the Swapo Party.
“There is simply no truth in the allegations,” he said, adding that the Rwanda trip demonstrates that the claims are “without any substantive basis”.
Geingob’s recent travels have drawn mixed reactions, with critics questioning the associated costs.
The presidency, however, feels he is championing “economic policy”.
Analysts are torn between whether trips undertaken by the president - aimed to promote Namibia as an investment destination - have delivered tangible results thus far, with some commentators saying it may be too early to judge.
With Geingob having gone on almost 10 international trips this year, Nandi-Ndaitwah has only been part of his delegation on one - when they travelled to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum in May.
She is, however, expected to join him in Rwanda today for a Commonwealth heads of state meeting.
Since the start of 2022, Geingob has been to Belgium, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Ivory Coast, Zambia and to Qatar twice.
At least three senior government sources who spoke to Namibian Sun said the current travelling arrangement is unusual because “it is a universal practice for presidents to travel with their foreign affairs ministers”.
“It is difficult to tell what is really going on behind the scenes, but something is definitely not right. The president would always travel with her [Nandi-Ndaitwah] when he became president. One wonders what changed,” one of the sources said.
Meanwhile, there are also speculations that the upcoming Swapo Party congress later this year might be working its way into state affairs.
Critics claim her omission from trips is linked to the upcoming congress, where both Geingob and Nandi-Ndaitwah - in their respective roles as Swapo president and vice-president - are expected to play key roles.
Nandi-Ndaitwah has presented subtle hints about her intentions to contest for the holy grail of the party and eventually succeed Geingob. Whether he will support her in her succession plans remains a political puzzle only time will solve.
Diplomatic analysis
Seasoned diplomat Tuliameni Kalomoh this week said “it is not compulsory for presidents to travel with their foreign affairs ministers, but having them by their side on trips is an established norm”.
Public policy analyst Dr Marius Kudumo echoed Kalomoh’s sentiments, saying “generally, you would expect the international relations minister to form part of the president’s delegation abroad - unless there are valid reasons”.
He added: “We are seeing a phenomenon that we have not seen before, but we cannot describe it unless we know what is really going on.”
“International engagements are about seniority and international relations ministers, with their counterparts, lay the groundwork for the presidents. In the diplomatic space, the real issues are discussed in informal settings, so it is important to engage at an appropriate seniority level or else the other party might not be comfortable to discuss in-depth matters,” he explained.
When approached to comment on her omission from trips, Nandi-Ndaitwah on Monday said “I do not compose his [Geingob’s] delegation”.
She downplayed the situation, adding: “I will be with the president in Rwanda, so I really do not see what the issue is here.”
Rwanda is hosting a Commonwealth heads of government meeting, which brings together leaders and representatives from the group's 54 members.
No fallout
Presidential spokesperson Dr Alfredo Hengari this week poured cold water on talks of a fallout between the two.
“President Geingob and the deputy prime minister enjoy a warm, cordial and professional relationship at government level, including in their respective roles as the top two leaders of the Swapo Party.
“There is simply no truth in the allegations,” he said, adding that the Rwanda trip demonstrates that the claims are “without any substantive basis”.
Geingob’s recent travels have drawn mixed reactions, with critics questioning the associated costs.
The presidency, however, feels he is championing “economic policy”.
Analysts are torn between whether trips undertaken by the president - aimed to promote Namibia as an investment destination - have delivered tangible results thus far, with some commentators saying it may be too early to judge.
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