Namibia’s President Hage Geingob dies aged 82

Published On 4 Feb 20244 Feb 2024

Namibian President Hage Geingob has died at the age of 82, his office has said, less than three weeks after it was announced he would undergo treatment for cancer.

Geingob died on Sunday at Lady Pohamba Hospital in the capital Windhoek with his wife and his children at his side, acting president Nangolo Mbumba said in a statement posted on Geingob’s official Facebook page.

“The Namibian nation has lost a distinguished servant of the people, a liberation struggle icon, the chief architect of our constitution and the pillar of the Namibian house,” Mbumba said.rangements, preparations and other protocols. Further announcements in this regard will be made.”

Geingob’s office announced last month that he had begun treatment following the discovery of “cancerous cells” during a routine colonoscopy and gastroscopy.

The announcement did not provide details of the African leader’s diagnosis or prognosis but said he would continue to carry out his presidential duties.Last year, Geingob announced he had undergone aortic surgery in neighbouring South Africa.

Namibia, a former German colony that gained independence from South Africa in 1990, is scheduled to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in November.

Geingob was ineligible to run for reelection as Namibia’s constitution limits the president to a maximum of two terms in office.

The ruling SWAPO Party’s presidential candidate, Nandi-Ndaitwah, would be the country’s first female head of state if elected.