President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed Ambassador Emilia Mkusa as the new Secretary to Cabinet, with immediate effect.
The appointment, made in accordance with Article 43(1) of the Namibian Constitution, sees Mkusa succeed George Simataa, who held the position since 2015.
The Presidency said Mkusa brings over three decades of public service experience to the role, including extensive expertise in human resources management, financial governance, diplomatic relations, and parliamentary procedures.
“Ambassador Mkusa has served in senior leadership roles within the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, the National Assembly, and the National Council. Her career reflects a blend of strategic oversight, policy formulation and cross-sector collaboration,” the the Presidency said.
Mkusa’s professional trajectory includes service from 2002 to 2013 at the National Assembly, where she held positions including Deputy Director, Director of General Services, Director in the Speaker’s Office, and Financial Advisor.
During this period, she was credited with spearheading financial reforms and institutional strengthening.
From 2013 to 2015, she served as Director for General Services at the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, where she was instrumental in improving administrative efficiency, particularly across Namibia’s diplomatic missions abroad.
Her role as Secretary to the National Council from 2015 to 2017 further deepened her experience in constitutional governance. Between 2017 and 2024, Mkusa served as Namibia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Djibouti, South Sudan and Sudan, and represented the country at the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. She also sat on the AU Peace and Security Council, contributing to the formulation of continental conflict-resolution strategies.
In September 2024, she was appointed as the Presidential Advisor for Political Affairs, advising on both national and geopolitical matters.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed full confidence in Mkusa’s capacity to fulfil the duties of her new role.
“I am confident in Ambassador Mkusa’s ability to carry out the assigned tasks and wish her well in the execution of her important duties,” the President said.
The Secretary to Cabinet is a critical administrative position, responsible for coordinating executive functions and ensuring the implementation of Cabinet decisions across all government ministries.
