Namibia President, Hage Geingob sparks outrage and controversy

The inclusion of Namibian President Hage Geingob’s four children in the government delegation to the COP28 Climate Change Summit in Dubai has sparked controversy and public outrage among citizens in Namibia.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) released a list detailing the Namibian delegation, revealing the participation of four of President Geingob’s children and two other members of the first family at the summit in Dubai.

The revelation prompted swift reactions from Namibians, who expressed discontent and criticism on social media platform X. Many questioned the necessity of including the president’s children in the official delegation, highlighting concerns about transparency and accountability.

One Namibian, identified as Chango, voiced frustration, stating, “We are treated like orphans in Namibia. Why should the president’s children go to Dubai, and we have to go Swakop? And we still have to pay they don’t!!!!.”

Another citizen raised doubts about the purpose behind including the president’s children in the delegation, questioning the relevance of their presence alongside state delegates at the summit.

Additionally, Member of Parliament Inna Hengari raised concerns about taxpayers’ money being utilized for the trip of the first family, emphasizing the need for accountability. Hengari pledged to address the issue in the parliament’s sessions scheduled for next year.

Responding to the growing criticism, the Namibian presidency issued a statement refuting claims that the first children’s trip was funded by the state.

The presidency clarified that President Hage Geingob and Madame Geingos personally covered the expenses for their children’s flights and accommodations, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated and malicious.

“The Namibian public and the media should be rest assured that not a single cent of public funds has been spent on the children of the First Couple,” the presidency stated.

Meanwhile, according to the UN’s attendance list for the summit, several other African nations, including Nigeria, Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, and Uganda, also sent substantial delegations, with Nigeria topping the list at 1,411 delegates. Notably, Seyi and Hakeem, children of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, were listed as staff of the Nigerian government within the delegation.