Venezuela's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yván Gil, extended felicitations on behalf of President Nicolas Maduro to newly sworn-in President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Namibia and Venezuela share strong bilateral relations forged during the struggle for independence.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah, in her inaugural speech, called for the lifting of sanctions against Venezuela, Cuba, and Zimbabwe.

"For Venezuela, this is a great day because of the independence of Namibia and the ascension of the first female President of the Republic. President Maduro sends his warm greetings. Namibia and Venezuela, especially in recent years, have had very strong relations, and we are very pleased that Namibia sent the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation to the inauguration of President Maduro."

Meanwhile, the President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Ibrahim Ghali, also paid a courtesy call on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House, following her inauguration.

Namibia and the entire SADC bloc have been strong supporters of Western Sahara's quest for independence from Morocco.

President Ghali said that the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic appreciates the region's relentless stance against oppression, colonisation, and injustice.