Nandi-Ndaitwah warns of shifting global order, urges Cabinet to uphold principles

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Monday warned that Namibia is operating in an increasingly volatile global environment marked by shifting alliances, conflicts and the selective application of international norms.

She called on Cabinet to remain principled, united and adaptive.

Opening the first Cabinet meeting of the 2026 calendar year, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the eighth administration was resuming work amid rising global uncertainty and complexity.

“We are resuming our work amid a time of increasing global uncertainty and complexity. Around the world, we see shifting alliances, economic instability, conflicts and the selective enforcement of global standards. Sometimes, decisions impacting sovereign nations are made outside the established multilateral frameworks, ignoring international consensus.

“These developments clearly indicate that geopolitics is evolving rapidly. What seems normal now could become unacceptable in the future. The shift in the global order also challenges many of the assumptions that many nations have relied on,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

She cautioned that in some instances, decisions impacting sovereign nations are made outside the established multilateral frameworks, ignoring international consensus, a trend she said demonstrated that geopolitics is evolving rapidly.

Despite the uncertainty, president Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia’s position on global affairs remains firm.

She reaffirmed that Namibia’s stance remains clear and unwavering.

“We must uphold our principles. We believe in the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, the equality among countries and the peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue, diplomacy and the respect for international law,” she said.

Within this context, Nandi-Ndaitwah said her call for ‘business unusual’ was not only relevant but also urgent, noting that ‘business unusual’ is happening worldwide.

“Our ways of thinking, planning and acting can no longer stay the same,” she told Cabinet members, while acknowledging that the road ahead would not be easy.

As a result, Nandi-Ndaitwah urged the Cabinet to lead with empathy and accountability, stressing that “we, therefore, cannot and must not fail our people”.

– Nampa

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