Allexer Namundjembo
States must follow diplomatic procedures to avoid misunderstandings, international relations analyst Marius Kudumo told the Windhoek Observer on Monday.
This comes amid reports of a disagreement between Ghana and Namibia over the accreditation of a head of mission.
Kudumo said diplomacy requires strict adherence to established rules and clear communication between states.
“Diplomacy is built on consent and trust. If the receiving state has not formally agreed to an appointment, announcing it publicly can create unnecessary tension,” Kudumo said.
Kudumo said the situation underlines the need for governments to be meticulous in interstate relations.
He explained that the Vienna Convention sets clear rules on how diplomats are sent and received and that approval from the receiving state must come first.
He said Ghana appears to be indicating that such approval had not been granted, yet Namibia proceeded with a public announcement, showing how sensitive diplomatic engagements can be if procedures are not carefully followed.
On the same day, the Presidency refuted allegations of secrecy in recent ambassadorial appointments and redeployments.
Presidential press secretary Jonas Mbambo said the President followed diplomatic practice and international protocol.
Mbambo clarified that reports implying the covert redeployment of heads of mission were misguided and inaccurate.
Mbambo explained that heads of mission are commissioned once and may then be redeployed to different postings without the need for a new commissioning ceremony each time.
“In line with established diplomatic practice, heads of mission are commissioned once, after which they may be redeployed from one posting to another, either directly or following administrative processes at home.”
He added that diplomatic steps such as the granting of agrément and the presentation of letters of credence differ from country to country.
He said some diplomats have completed these processes, while others are still waiting, which led to a collective public announcement once progress had been made.
“There has been no intention to conceal or withhold information,” the statement from the office of the president said, noting that some diplomats have publicly shared their work through official platforms and social media.
The Presidency confirmed that the redeployments took place last year.
However, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) member of parliament and shadow minister of international relations and trade, Rodney Cloete, said at least one appointment had escalated into a diplomatic incident.
IPC accused the government of breaching diplomatic protocol in the appointment of Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata as Namibia’s high commissioner to Ghana.
Nghituwamata previously served as an executive director in the agriculture ministry.
According to media reports by the Namibian Sun, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a note verbale dated 15 December 2025 objecting to Nghituwamata’s commissioning on 8 December 2025, while Ghana’s consideration of agrément was still under way.
IPC argues that Ghana invoked Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, which requires the consent of the receiving state before a head of mission is accredited and said such consent had not been granted.
“This appointment is now a diplomatic incident with one of our most important African partners,” said Cloete.
Cloete said IPC contacted international relations and trade minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, who stated that she had not received the note verbally but acknowledged that Namibia cannot commission a head of mission without the consent of the receiving state.
“The minister acknowledges the principle, yet this is precisely what occurred on 8 December in a ceremony her portfolio oversees,” IPC said.
IPC criticised President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, noting that she served as minister of international relations for 12 years and should be familiar with the agrément requirement, which it described as a basic diplomatic rule.
“She cannot instruct ambassadors to always act in a manner that preserves Namibia’s integrity while her administration damages it.”
Cloete linked the Ghana matter to what it called wider governance and vetting failures.
IPC also claimed Nghituwamata is under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over a N$4.9 million tender, quoting the ACC director general as saying she “has a lot of explaining to do.”
IPC warned that the dispute could have economic implications, noting that Ghana hosts the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.
Member of parliament and leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) McHenry Venaani has said Ghana is within its rights to question the appointment.
Venaani asserted that the receiving country must grant clearance before the sending country can announce an ambassador or high commissioner. He said this is a standard diplomatic process.
“Ghana has a very strong point. But more to it, countries will not write letters. They might have any other sinister issues with the high commissioner designate. I can only suspect why they are sending somebody who is accused of corruption,” Venaani told the Windhoek Observer.
