Cabinet of Namibia

The Cabinet of Namibia is an appointed body that was established by Chapter 6 (Articles 35-42) of the Constitution of Namibia. It is mandated to include the following positions: the President of Namibia, the Prime Minister of Namibia and any positions that the President so appoints.[1]

All cabinet members also sit in the National Assembly. This situation has been criticised by Namibia's civil society and the opposition as creating a significant overlap between executive and legislature, undermining the separation of powers. Moreover, the seniority of cabinet members generally relegate ordinary MPs to the back benches.[2]

List of cabinets of Namibia

Current cabinet (2020–)

The current cabinet was announced on 21 March 2020. Several deputy minister positions have been disestablished as a cost-cutting measure. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry has been merged with the Ministry of Land Reform, and the Ministry of Veteran Affairs is now part of Defence.[3] The death of the president in February 2024 necessitated a reshuffle in the top leadership.[4]

2015–2020

The 6th Cabinet was announced on 19 March 2015. The position of Vice-President was established for the first time, as well as five ministries with two deputy ministers each. Their double appointments significantly increased the number of top positions in public administration.[9][10]

A major cabinet reshuffle occurred in February 2018 when two ministers were fired, the vice-president retired on health grounds, and several other rotations took place.[11] In the wake of the February cabinet reshuffle the number of deputy ministers was reduced again to one per ministry, with the Office of the Vice-President the only exception. This move was announced as a cost-cutting measure.[12][13]

2010–2015

This Cabinet was appointed in 2010. The SWAPO congress end of November 2012 resulted in "one of the biggest Cabinet reshuffles the country has seen since independence".[20]

2005–2010

Below is a list of the cabinet of the Republic of Namibia from appointment in 2005 until replacement in 2010:

2000–2005

The third cabinet of Sam Nujoma was announced on Independence Day 2000.[34]

1995–2000

The second cabinet under Sam Nujoma was announced on Independence Day 1995.[35] In 1999 a re-shuffle took place, mainly affecting deputy ministers.[36]

1990–1995

The first cabinet after Namibian independence consisted of 19 ministers appointed by inaugural president Sam Nujoma. In 1991, two further ministries were established:[37]

References

Notes

Literature