Namibian president takes over mines docket after sacking minister

Namibia's President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has removed Natangwe Ithete from his posts as deputy prime minister and minister of industry, mines and energy, the presidency said in a statement on Sunday.

"In the interest of ensuring continuity and effective coordination within this key sector, President Nandi-Ndaitwah will assume responsibility for the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, effective immediately," the statement said.

It did not give a reason.

Ithete was appointed to the posts in March as part of Nandi-Ndaitwah's new administration. He remains a member of parliament, the statement said.

Resource-rich Namibia is aiming for its first crude oil production by 2030 after several major discoveries in recent years. It mines commodities like uranium and diamonds.

The US government, under President Donald Trump, has made securing critical minerals central to its diplomacy in Africa, including through a peace deal in the resource-rich Democratic Republic of Congo this year.