Pursuant to Article 43 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed Ambassador Emilia Mkusa as the Secretary to Cabinet, with immediate effect.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah expresses confidence in the ability of Ambassador Emilia Mkusa to carry out the assigned tasks and wishes her well in the execution of her important duties.
With over three decades of distinguished public service, she possesses extensive expertise in Human Resources Management, Financial Governance, Diplomatic Relations, and Parliamentary Procedures, cultivated through leadership roles at Namibia’s Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, the National Assembly, and the National Council.
Her career reflects a unique blend of strategic oversight, policy formulation, and cross-sector collaboration, paired with exceptional analytical and communication skills honed in high-stakes environments. From 2002 to 2013, she advanced through pivotal roles at the National Assembly, from Deputy Director, Director of General Services, Director in the Speaker’s Office and Financial Advisor, where she spearheaded financial reforms and institutional strengthening.
As Director for General Services at the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (2013–2015), she optimized administrative systems across the Ministry including Namibia’s diplomatic missions. Her tenure as Secretary to the National Council (2015–2017) cemented her expertise in constitutional governance, followed by serving as Ambassador to Ethiopia, Djibouti, South Sudan and Sudan at a bilateral level, while at a multilateral level at the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (2017–2024), where she also represented Namibia on the AU Peace and Security Council, shaping continental conflict-resolution strategies. In September 2024, she assumed her current role as Presidential Advisor for Political Affairs, advising on national and geopolitical priorities.