Five Heads of Mission resident in Pretoria, South Africa, have formally assumed their duties as non-resident Ambassadors to Namibia following the presentation of their Letters of Credence to President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House in Windhoek.
The credential ceremony, held on 11 June 2026, marked an important diplomatic milestone in strengthening bilateral relations between Namibia and the respective countries represented by the newly accredited envoys.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah received the Letters of Credence from the following Heads of Mission:
- H.E. Erika Álvarez Rodríguez, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic;
- H.E. Air Chief Marshal Group Captain Rajapaksa (Retd), High Commissioner of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka;
- H.E. Karin Poulsen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark;
- H.E. Abdelkerim Ahmadaye Bakhit, Ambassador of the Republic of Chad; and
- H.E. Anna Karin Erneström, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden.
All five diplomats are resident in Pretoria, South Africa, where they serve as Heads of Mission accredited to the Republic of South Africa, while concurrently holding non-resident accreditation to Namibia.
Presentation of Copies of Credentials
Ahead of the formal accreditation ceremony with the Head of State, the Ambassadors undertook the customary diplomatic procedure of presenting Copies of their Letters of Credence to Namibia’s Minister of International Relations and Trade, Honourable Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, on 10 June 2026.
The presentation of Copies of Credentials constitutes an important preliminary step in the accreditation process, enabling diplomatic representatives to engage with government institutions and commence certain official activities pending the presentation of the original Letters of Credence to the President.
The subsequent audience with President Nandi-Ndaitwah on 11 June 2026 formally completed the accreditation process, granting the diplomats full recognition as Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Representatives of their respective governments to the Republic of Namibia.
Strengthening Namibia’s International Partnerships
The accreditation of non-resident Ambassadors resident in Pretoria underscores Namibia’s growing diplomatic engagement with countries that maintain representation in Southern Africa through missions based in South Africa. This arrangement allows for enhanced political dialogue, trade promotion, development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, while providing efficient diplomatic coverage within the region.
The credential ceremony also reflects Namibia’s continued commitment to expanding and deepening bilateral relations with partners across Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and Asia under the administration of President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
As these newly accredited envoys commence their mandates, opportunities are expected to grow for increased cooperation in areas ranging from trade and investment to education, cultural exchange and multilateral collaboration.
