Mbumba’s diplomatic reshuffle questioned

President Nangolo Mbumba’s move to recall and replace Namibian ambassadors from Brazil, Senegal, Botswana, the African Union (AU), and Ethiopia has been met with suspicion.

Former ambassador Pius Dunaiski has criticised the move, arguing that Mbumba should avoid making such weighty decisions during this period to ensure a smooth transition to the next government.

“The interim president has created frowns and brought about suspicion in his own party.

“His job should be to stay away from such weighty decisions to ensure a smooth transition.

“Appointing ambassadors and high commissioners does not augur well politically,” he says.

Yesterday, Mbumba recalled, with immediate effect, ambassadors Asser Kapere from Botswana, Elvis Shiweda from Senegal and Emilia Mkusa from the AU and Ethiopia.

They are being replaced by Selma Nghinamundova, who has been assigned to Brazil, Elizabeth Kakukuru to Botswana and Richard Tsandib to Senegal.

Ambassador Mbapeua Muvangua has been cross-posted to the AU and Ethiopia from Brazil.

Dunaiski says outgoing presidents appointing diplomats is not unusual.

“It is not unusual that an outgoing administration makes such changes to ensure and secure plum jobs for cronies or politically connected persons in light of the uncertainties of what a new administration would do. “Most presidents do it as a preemptive move for various reasons, mostly personal,” he says.

Dunaiski, however, does not expect the diplomatic reshuffle to lead to any change in foreign relations as Mbumba promised to only conclude the late president Hage Geingob’s administration.

“Such a reshuffle at this stage does not only have political implications, but also legal and constitutional ramifications. The appointments would only further deepen tension in the ruling party,” he says.

He says the move could be seen as diluting the powers of the incoming head of state in the event an opposition party takes over. Meanwhile, foreign policy analyst Marius Kudumo says as per the powers vested in Mbumba as head of state, the appointments are not of particular significance.

Kudumo says the decision of where Namibia sends its diplomats has not been considered as carefully as it should be.

“The issue should be whether the appointed ambassadors and high commissioner possess the requisite knowledge, skills and tact to advance the strategic interests of Namibia in the receiving states, as well as at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) with authority and respect,” he says.

He says Kakukuru’s experience at SADC has likely given her a solid understanding of political, social and economic issues in both Botswana and SADC programmes, and she should therefore easily adapt to her new role.

“I do not see the appointments as an early transition, but rather vacancies that might have occurred,” he says.

‘REPRESENT OUR INTERESTS’

During the appointing ceremony at State House yesterday, Mbuma urged the newly designated ambassadors to represent the national interests of Namibia in their host countries.

“Whatever you will be doing as Namibia’s ambassadors must translate into tangible benefits for the Namibian people and contribute to our developmental agenda, as well as our quest to build a united, peaceful and prosperous Namibian House in which no one should feel left out,” he said.

Mbumba further said he expected them to inform host countries truthfully and regularly about economic opportunities and other developments in Namibia.

“Our foreign policy is an extension of our domestic policy. The social and economic well-being of all our people is paramount. Therefore, you should be cognisant at all times of the socio-economic challenges in our country and how we are trying to address them,” the president said.