President allegedly fumes over ‘sabotaged’ inauguration amid diplomatic blunders

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration was marred by logistical and diplomatic issues, leading her to allegedly suspect sabotage.

The president allegedly told top state officials that the event was sabotaged by senior government officials who moved the event from Independence Stadium to State House.

Sources familiar with this matter have confirmed to The Namibian that Nandi-Ndaitwah was against this decision.

The president’s big day was marred by logistical blunders, mistreated foreign diplomats and limited media access.

The event, which coincided with celebrating Namibia’s 35 years of independence, was initially scheduled for 21 March at Independence Stadium in Windhoek.

Due to heavy rains at the time, it was, however, abruptly moved to State House.

These blunders allegedly left Nandi-Ndaitwah fuming.

“She had a feeling that some of the event organisers in cahoots with senior government officials moved the event on purpose just to sabotage her moment, although they explained that it was because of the weather,” a source said.

The source said Nandi-Ndaitwah had preferred the ceremony to take place at Independence Stadium – even on the morning of the inauguration.

State House press secretary Alfredo Hengari has refuted allegations that the inauguration was marred by blunders.

“I would like to tell those who are making false utterances to desist from doing so. Right now the president is focused on more important issues that affect the nation, such as delivering on important mandates.

“Issues that are preoccupying the president remain the welfare of the people and the implementation of the manifesto of service delivery,” says Hengari.

‘CHAOS ALMOST EVERYWHERE’

The inauguration also highlighted diplomatic oversights, with Namibian protocol officials reportedly failing to recognise Mozambican president Daniel Chapo upon his arrival at State House.

A foreign reporter is said to have informed protocol officials of his identity before he was escorted to the holding rooms for heads of state.

Chapo’s spokesperson, Adilson Adinane, has told The Namibian that he was not aware of the matter.

“I have not heard of any incident,” he said.

An official from the Ministry of International Relations and Trade told The Namibian last month that some other non-resident ambassadors from Ethiopia, Cyprus, Somalia and Seychelles were not allocated vehicles and were allegedly unhappy about this.

“A lot of things did not go well. There was chaos almost everywhere – a lack of cars for dignitaries, dissatisfaction with accommodation, guests who had to wait for long to be picked up, and others who had to walk to the front gate to access their cars,” the source said.

The Namibian was also informed that the United States envoy was not recognised by the directors of ceremonies.

The high commissioner of Cyprus, Antonis Mandritis, says it is normal for a presidential inauguration to experience some delays.

“The high commissioners’ participation in this esteemed event is proof of the excellent relations between Namibia and Cyprus, and we are constantly making efforts to enhance the bilateral relations between our two countries,” Mandritis’ personal assistant, Laura Stavrou, said in an email this week.

The Ethiopian embassy’s spokesperson, Roman Adane, says she did not know whether the Ethiopian ambassador attended the inauguration.

Questions sent to the embassies of Somalia and Seychelles were not responded to.

DIPLOMATIC TENSIONS

Nandi-Ndaitwah confirmed in an interview with Al Jazeera last week that United States (US) president Donald Trump sent an envoy to her inauguration.

This individual was allegedly not impressed with the inauguration event. Confidente reported three weeks ago that the American delegation members were also displeased after being seated with the Venezuelan delegation at the same table.

The diplomatic ties between the Venezuelan government and the US have been tense. The US embassy in Namibia told The Namibian “the embassy has no comment on this matter at this time”.

Contacted for comment, chief of protocol Leonard Iipumbu said he was not aware of any protocol mishaps during the inauguration event.

“I am not aware of that. Go back to your source. Whoever told you, go and ask them those questions,” he said.

Executive director of international relations and trade Penda Naanda denied any controversy around the arrival of the Mozambican president or any other head of state in attendance.

“Furthermore, the ministry was not made aware of any logistical failures nor of any non-resident ambassador left without transport, and their presence was duly recognised,” he said.

Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani, who also attended the event, said he saw many foreign ministers looking for chairs in the hall during the inauguration.

“I saw many foreign ministers looking for chairs, so yes, there were mishaps, but I have seen worse nevertheless,” he said.

Additionally, Confidente reported on Friday that the Chinese delegation to the event boycotted the food it was given.

They reportedly did this to express their displeasure at being seated next to Venaani as they were allegedly Swapo’s guests at the event.

‘NOT HAPPY’

Apart from a crowded venue, State House security reportedly denied private media houses proper access to capture the historic moment.

Unlike other presidents, the opportunity to take a picture of Namibia’s first woman president was granted a few only.

Toivo Ndjebela, a member of the Editors’ Forum of Namibia and Namibian Sun’s editor, criticised the preferential treatment of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), saying all media houses serve Namibians and should be granted equal access.

“Just in February, journalists from the private media were subjected to the same treatment at Ondangwa when the remains of the founding president landed from Windhoek. In their desperation, some reporters had to pretend to be NBC reporters to be allowed access,” he said.

The absence of the Independent Patriots for Change president Panduleni Itula also raised questions.

It is tradition that the leaders of the official opposition are invited to such events.

No opposition leader’s name appeared on the official programme of the day.

– Additional reporting Anna Shinana