United States Ambassador to Namibia John Giordano. Picture U.S. Embassy to Namibia

United States Ambassador to Namibia John Giordano was turned away from the National Fisheries Indaba in Walvis Bay last Friday after arriving without registering for the event.

Giordano reportedly arrived at the Walvis Bay Civic Centre at around 17:00, accompanied by his bodyguard, while President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was already seated inside. State House Chief of Protocol Ambassador Bonny Haufiku met Giordano at the entrance.

Haufiku defended the decision to deny the ambassador access, saying the same rules applied to everyone who had not registered. “He is not the only one who was denied entry. It was everyone who did not register,” Haufiku said, adding that no diplomats had registered to participate in the indaba. “Rules are rules,” he said, drawing a comparison with access to the US Embassy, where visitors generally require appointments.

Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said there had been no confirmation or reservation for Giordano’s participation. He said protocol arrangements, including seating and security, were required for an ambassador attending an event of such magnitude. Muyunda added that the indaba was designed as an engagement platform between the ministry and the fishing sector and that no ambassadors had been invited.

Presidency spokesperson Jonas Mbambo said the President attended as an invited guest and that the Presidency was not responsible for organising the event. The U. S. Embassy declined to comment on the incident.

By Rudi Bowe