Iceland's finance minister, Daði Már Kristófersson, has sparked controversy with comments about Namibia in connection with the Fishrot scandal, a major corruption case involving fishing rights in Namibia. The scandal, which emerged in 2019, led to the arrest of former Namibian ministers and Icelandic businessmen.
In a recent statement, Kristófersson reportedly suggested that Namibia bears responsibility for the scandal, a remark that has been condemned as insensitive and factually inaccurate. The Fishrot case primarily involves allegations of bribery and corruption by Icelandic fishing companies and Namibian officials.
Critics argue that the minister's comments deflect from Iceland's role in the scandal, where Icelandic firms are accused of paying bribes for access to Namibia's fishing quotas. The case has strained relations between the two countries and led to legal proceedings in both Iceland and Namibia.
As of May 2026, the Fishrot trial continues in Namibia, with several high-profile defendants facing charges of corruption, fraud, and money laundering. The Icelandic government has not officially apologized for the minister's remarks.
