Furore over visits by foreign dignitaries

THE arrival of foreign dignitaries in Namibia without the knowledge of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Prime Minister’s office caused furore in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

During debate on the budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the DTA’s Philemon Moongo set the cat among the pigeons when he berated Government for not according foreign dignitaries the reception they deserved in Namibia. In particular, Moongo referred to the arrival of a Kuwaiti delegation on Sunday afternoon, saying he was embarrassed that the necessary protocol procedures were not in place.He caused Prime Minister Nahas Angula to lash out at opposition parties, saying they had in the past not informed Government offices when delegations of opposition parties from other countries visited Namibia.”I was embarrassed but I was never told, else I would have extended the normal courtesies,” Angula said of the incident.The DTA’s McHenry Venaani added fuel to the fire, saying there was nothing sinister in opposition parties inviting their counterparts from other countries to Namibia.He said a recent visit by the Prime Minister of Niger had been reported to local Foreign Affairs authorities.Minister of Information and Broadcasting Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah also joined the fray, saying Government’s hands were tied in affording dignitaries the proper courtesies in Namibia if they did not know of their arrival.”I can’t apologise if you do wrong things.Who gave them permission to host foreign guests?” Nandi-Ndaitwah lashed out at the opposition benches.Foreign Affairs Minister Marco Hausiku said he took note of concerns that proper protocol was not observed during the arrival of the Kuwaiti delegation this week.”I will look into what the honourable member has indicated, and I will apologise,” he said.He suggested that in future countries sending delegations to Namibia should first inform the ministry of Foreign Affairs, which would in turn inform others concerned.In particular, Moongo referred to the arrival of a Kuwaiti delegation on Sunday afternoon, saying he was embarrassed that the necessary protocol procedures were not in place.He caused Prime Minister Nahas Angula to lash out at opposition parties, saying they had in the past not informed Government offices when delegations of opposition parties from other countries visited Namibia.”I was embarrassed but I was never told, else I would have extended the normal courtesies,” Angula said of the incident.The DTA’s McHenry Venaani added fuel to the fire, saying there was nothing sinister in opposition parties inviting their counterparts from other countries to Namibia.He said a recent visit by the Prime Minister of Niger had been reported to local Foreign Affairs authorities.Minister of Information and Broadcasting Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah also joined the fray, saying Government’s hands were tied in affording dignitaries the proper courtesies in Namibia if they did not know of their arrival.”I can’t apologise if you do wrong things.Who gave them permission to host foreign guests?” Nandi-Ndaitwah lashed out at the opposition benches.Foreign Affairs Minister Marco Hausiku said he took note of concerns that proper protocol was not observed during the arrival of the Kuwaiti delegation this week.”I will look into what the honourable member has indicated, and I will apologise,” he said.He suggested that in future countries sending delegations to Namibia should first inform the ministry of Foreign Affairs, which would in turn inform others concerned.