The United States ambassador in Windhoek was recently denied entry to Namibia's National Fisheries Indaba, held at Walvis Bay Town Hall, after allegedly arriving without an official invitation.
Reports indicate that Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was inside the hall addressing delegates at the time. Video footage circulated by Namibian outlet New Era shows Ambassador John Giordano and his aides standing at the entrance while officials checked their credentials. The envoy was later seen walking back to a vehicle in the parking lot and leaving after being barred from entering.
Presidential officials stated that they did not organize the meeting and therefore did not control access. Press Secretary Jonas Mbambo advised that inquiries should be directed to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform. Minister Inge Zaamwani confirmed that no diplomats were invited, with the exception of Namibia's development partner, the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
A source mentioned that Giordano claimed to have registered but could not produce a registration number. The State House also emphasized that the president was an invited guest, not the host.
The U.S. Embassy in Windhoek has not released an official statement regarding the ambassador's attendance at the event. The Namibian Sun reported that the embassy declined to comment and instead criticized the initial reporting.
The National Fisheries Indaba is a domestic policy forum focused on quotas, jobs, sustainability, and the distribution of benefits from Namibia's marine resources, a sector valued at approximately N$14 billion. It is not an open diplomatic conference, which is the crux of the issue: protocol officials treated it as a restricted national meeting, not a venue accessible to any accredited ambassador.
Ambassador Giordano, a political appointee and former federal prosecutor, presented his credentials in October 2025. His agenda has centered on energy, critical minerals, and the Port of Walvis Bay, a focus that has already faced some opposition. In late August, activist Michael Amushelelo initiated a petition urging President Nandi-Ndaitwah to declare Giordano persona non grata. Following the Walvis Bay incident, some commentators called for Washington to recall him, while others argued that Namibia was simply enforcing its guest list.
The Namibian Sun highlighted the problem of silence fueling suspicion, stating, "If there was a misunderstanding, say so. If there was a security or accreditation issue, explain it." Neither the organizers nor the embassy have provided such clarification.
In summary, a U.S. ambassador arrived uninvited at a closed Namibian industry meeting attended by the president, was turned away on camera, and departed. No formal protest has been announced, nor has an official apology been issued. Until the ministry or the embassy offers further details, the video footage remains the primary source of information.
