President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reportedly displeased with marine phosphate mining approval

Sources indicate the President held a meeting with senior government officials, emphasizing that Namibia should not be used for ocean experiments. Environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti approved an environmental clearance certificate ECC for the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate project, led by businessman Knowledge Katti and Mohammed Al Barwani. This approval has reportedly angered the President and other senior officials who claim they were not consulted on a decision of significant public interest.

The meeting included ministers and officials like Mufeti and attorney general Festus Mbandeka, with Minister in the Presidency Charles Mubita suggesting action against those who made the decision. The President had previously stated her willingness to be a "disruptive president" for the Namibian people, anticipating potential court challenges. The phosphate issue has a history, having caused controversy a decade ago when a similar license was approved.

Minister of Environment and Tourism Indileni Daniel had allegedly requested a briefing from the environment commissioner before a final decision, which apparently did not occur. The Independent Patriots for Change IPC has called for the ECC's suspension pending an independent review, questioning the currency of scientific information and publ