Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in on Friday as the first female president of Namibia after winning elections last year.
At a ceremony that coincided with Namibia's 35th anniversary of independence, Nandi-Ndaitwah assumed office, succeeding outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba, who had taken over power following the death of former President Hage Geingob in 2024.
As Namibia's fifth president since its independence in 1990, Nandi-Ndaitwah won the 2024 presidential election with 57 percent of the vote.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by heads of state from several African countries, as well as leaders of international and regional organizations.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, is a member of Namibia's ruling South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) party, which has been in power since the country gained independence in 1990. She joined the party when it was leading the struggle for independence and has since held several senior positions.
Nandi-Ndaitwah entered the National Assembly in 1990 and became a cabinet minister in 2000, leading the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Welfare. She later served as minister of information and broadcasting, minister of environment and tourism, and minister of foreign affairs. In February 2024, she became Namibia's first female vice president.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah sworn in as Namibia's first female president
China and the European Union (EU) have agreed that it is necessary to provide general guidance on price undertakings for Chinese exporters of passenger battery electric vehicles to the EU, China's commerce ministry said on Monday.
The move aims to address relevant concerns in a more practical, targeted, and consistent manner with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, according to the Ministry of Commerce in a statement.
Accordingly, the European Commission will issue a Guidance Document on Submission of Price Undertaking Offers. In the document, the EU confirms that it will assess each undertaking application under the same legal criteria, in accordance with the principle of non-discrimination and relevant WTO rules, in an objective and fair manner.
The progress fully reflects the spirit of dialogue and the outcomes of consultations between China and the EU. It shows that both China and the EU have the ability and willingness to properly resolve differences through dialogue and consultation within the framework of WTO rules, thereby maintaining the stability of automotive industrial and supply chains in China, the EU, and the whole world. This is conducive not only to ensuring the healthy development of China-EU economic and trade relations, but also to safeguarding the rules-based international trade order, the statement said.
On the same day, the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) also issued a statement welcoming the positive outcome of the consultations.
The CCCME noted that eligible Chinese EV makers may now submit price undertaking applications in accordance with the EU's guidance, and the European Commission has pledged to review all applications objectively, fairly, and under uniform standards.
The proper settlement of this case meets the shared expectations of industries along the EV supply chain in both China and Europe. It will help ensure the security and stability of related industrial and supply chains and safeguard the broader China-EU economic and trade relationship, the CCCME said.
The chamber expressed appreciation for the substantial efforts made by China's Ministry of Commerce in defending the interests of the domestic industry. It also pledged to encourage and support relevant Chinese enterprises in making full use of the consultation outcomes to protect their interests in exporting to the EU and promote healthy cooperation between the industries of both sides.
China, EU agree on price undertaking guidance for Chinese electric vehicle exporters: commerce ministry
