Renthia Kaimbi
Calls are growing for US President Donald Trump to recall United States Ambassador to Namibia John Giordano amid mounting controversy over his conduct and diplomatic engagements in Namibia, with critics warning that the situation could undermine long-standing bilateral relations between the two countries.
The calls follow an incident in which Giordano was reportedly denied entry to the Walvis Bay Town Hall on Friday, where the National Fisheries Indaba was underway in the presence of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
The presidency has distanced itself from the incident, saying it was not responsible for the organisation or administration of the event.
Presidential press secretary Jonas Mbambo said the National Fisheries Indaba was organised by the ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform, while Nandi-Ndaitwah attended as an invited guest.
“The Presidency would unfortunately not be in a position to account for the administration of an event it neither organised nor hosted,” Mbambo said.
He said questions about who was invited, admitted or denied entry, as well as accreditation and access arrangements, should be directed to the ministry as the organiser.
“It would therefore be rather peculiar for the Presidency to explain who was invited, who was admitted, who was not admitted, or what accreditation and access arrangements were applied by the organisers,” Mbambo said.
He further said questions concerning Giordano’s own experience should be directed to the ambassador, adding that the Presidency had no further comment.
Agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform minister Inge Zaamwani told the Windhoek Observer that the indaba was an industry, government and stakeholder event.
“To the best of my knowledge, no diplomat was invited other than our development partner, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation,” Zaamwani said.
A source claimed Giordano had indicated that his office had registered for the event but allegedly failed to provide a registration number when asked to verify the registration.
“He lied that his office registered for the event but couldn’t provide a registration number when asked to consult his office,” the source alleged.
Giordano was allegedly subsequently asked to leave the venue.
The incident has since triggered wider scrutiny of the ambassador’s engagements with Namibian officials. Sources have alleged that several ministers have been uncomfortable to accept requests from Giordano for meetings, coffee and lunches because they considered him to be “all over the place”.
Further allegations have emerged concerning Giordano’s presence at events attended by or involving the President.
The Windhoek Observer was informed that Giordano attended an FNB T20 Tri-Series 2026 cricket match on Saturday, where Nandi-Ndaitwah had been invited to but was represented by Vice President Lucia Witbooi.
A source claimed Giordano allegedly asked organisers to be seated close to the presidential delegation.
“We are informed that he asked organisers to be seated near the presidential delegation and at this point, it seems he’s trying by all means to ambush the President wherever he can,” the source alleged.
The ambassador has also reportedly visited the Environmental Crimes Court in Otjiwarongo, where he allegedly requested media presence while inspecting the facility’s renovations and court recording equipment sponsored by the United States through an unnamed non-governmental organisation.
A source claimed the wildlife court was specifically opened for the inspection.
“While he is allowed to do that, he is interfering in diplomatic policy and trying too much to drive the narrative,” the source alleged.
Political analyst Marius Kudumo said the controversy should be viewed against the broader principles governing diplomatic relations.
Kudumo said relations between states are governed by international diplomatic norms, including the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, whose central principle is the promotion of friendly relations among nations.
He said mutual respect was essential to maintaining such relations and that diplomats were expected to conduct themselves with due regard for protocol.
“Diplomatic staff ought to conduct their affairs with due respect and adherence to protocol requirements in order to be accorded their rightful place during state events,” Kudumo said.
He also stressed that responsibility did not rest solely with diplomats, saying officials responsible for protocol and security should likewise exercise appropriate sensitivity when dealing with diplomatic representatives.
“Equally, protocol and security officers should handle diplomatic staff with sensitivity and in accordance with the necessary protocol and etiquette requirements consistent with the spirit of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” he said.
Kudumo’s comments come as debate intensifies over whether the Walvis Bay incident reflected a failure by the organisers to properly manage diplomatic access or whether Giordano’s conduct contributed to the situation.
Social activist Michael Amushelelo had called for Giordano to be declared persona non grata by President Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Meanwhile, calls have emerged for Trump to recall the ambassador, with critics arguing that continued controversy surrounding Giordano could damage the traditionally cordial relationship between Namibia and the United States.
However, sources familiar with the matter said a declaration of persona non grata would ordinarily require sufficient grounds under diplomatic law.
The ambassador’s response to the allegations was not available at the time of publication.
