Govt denies Geingob, NNN rift

Government through the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation on Friday rubbished allegations circulating on social media of a rift between President Hage Geingob and his Deputy Prime Minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (NNN), as totally false.

According to a media statement issued on Friday, the allegations stem from the absence of Nandi-Ndaitwah at the presentation of credentials by various foreign high commissioners to the head of State at State House in Windhoek on Thursday.

The statement said these allegations circulating on social media platforms purporting that the two national leaders are embroiled in a rift are malicious, unfounded and devoid of any truth.

“In the first place, this is not the first time the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, NandiNdaitwah was represented at an event like this by another minister, whom she had recommended to do so on her behalf,” said the statement.

The working relations between President Geingob and his deputy prime minister, who is also the minister of international relations and cooperation, NandiNdaitwah continues to be excellent, it added.

The statement said the Minister in the Presidency, Christine //Hoebes on Thursday stood in for NandiNdaitwah at the event, saying the deputy prime minister does not need to be invited to such diplomatic engagements as it is her responsibility to escort foreign ambassadors and high commissioners to the Office of the President when presenting credentials or attending other meetings there.

Government further explained that NandiNdaitwah was absent from the event as she is on a wellness retreat for the whole April as it was planned as such in 2022.

“The two national leaders are in contact, and any other misrepresentation of facts outside this needs to be rejected disdainfully,” said the statement.