Why was the U.S Ambassador in Namibia thrown out of an important Presidential function?
U.S. Ambassador to Namibia John Giordano was denied entry to a national fisheries conference in Walvis Bay. Namibian officials stated the event was a restricted domestic policy forum and the ambassador lacked an official invitation.
Why it matters
The incident highlights diplomatic friction and protocol disputes regarding the access of foreign envoys to sensitive domestic policy discussions in Namibia.
The United States ambassador in Windhoek was recently thrown out of the Namibia fisheries meeting after allegedly reporting at the event without an invitation.
U.S Ambassador John Giordano was refused entry to Namibia’s National Fisheries Indaba, held at Walvis Bay Town Hall after what was described to be his sudden arrival at the venue without an official invitation.
Reports have that, the Namibian President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, was inside the hall addressing delegates at the time.
Video circulated by Namibian outlet New Era shows Giordano and aides standing at the entrance while officials check phones and documents.
The envoy is later seen walking back to a vehicle in the parking lot and leaving after being barred from entering the hall.
The Presidency team says it did not organize the meeting and did not control the door nor had the rights to admission.
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