Namibian President Geingob Under Fire For Taking His Four Children To COP28 In Dubai
Namibian President Hage Geingob received public backlash for including his four children in the group traveling to the COP28 climate summit in Dubai.
Issues arose following a widely shared post from the Namibian Presidency on X (previously known as Twitter) on Monday. The post confirmed that among six family members traveling to Dubai were the President’s four children: Kayla Elago, Nino Kalondo, Dangos Geingos, and Nangula Geingob.
Namibian citizens used the platform to criticize the Head of State for supposedly using public funds inappropriately to support his children’s journey. However, the purpose or contribution of the children at COP28 was not clarified or justified.
“You guys really think we are dumb? Why would they be included in the delegates list if they aren’t part of it? What is the relevance of them being in Dubai together with state delegates?” one such citizen stated on X.
“We anticipate a comprehensive report to be presented in [parliament],” Namibian politician Inna Hengari added.
Namibian nationals utilized the forum to condemn the Head of State for allegedly misusing public funds to aid his children’s participation. Nonetheless, the specific role or value brought by the children at COP28 was neither explained nor validated.
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After facing significant public outcry, President Geingob’s office utilized the X platform to clarify that the expenses for his children’s journey were not covered by the State. However, the statement did not provide specific information regarding the payment.
“President Geingob and Madame Geingos (first lady) paid for the flights and accommodation expenses of their children,” read the statement on Monday.
“The Namibian public and the media should be assured that not a single cent of public funds has been spent on the first couple’s children.”
The uproar in Namibia mirrors previous criticisms directed at African governments for supposedly dispatching extensive delegations to COP28, which the public deems as unnecessary for the summit.
In Kenya, worries escalated when an online report emerged claiming that the government had dispatched 763 representatives to Dubai for the conference.
However, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed later came out to clarify saying only 51 people were cleared by the State for the climate talks trip owing to austerity measures put in place.
Namibian President Geingob Under Fire For Taking His Four Children To COP28 In Dubai