Namibia: Namibia mourns the loss of its President, Hage Geingob, who passed away at the age of 82 during medical treatment in a Windhoek hospital. A stalwart of the nation’s fight for independence, Mr. Geingob had recently disclosed his cancer diagnosis to the public.
Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba announced that he passed early Sunday, with his wife and children by his side, describing him as “a distinguished servant of the people“.
Mbumba has specified that 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. “At this moment of deep sorrow, I appeal to the nation to remain calm and collected while the Government attends to all necessary state arrangements, preparations, and other protocols. Further announcements in this regard will be made,” he added.
According to the President’s office, he had begun treatment for ‘cancerous cells’ discovered during a routine colonoscopy and gastroscopy. Neither the diagnosis nor the prognosis of the African leader was revealed in the announcement, but it was stated that he would continue to perform his duties as president. Later, it was announced that he would travel to the United States for medical treatment and return to Namibia on 2 February.
During his 12-year tenure as Prime Minister, Geingob had a history of health issues that preceded his election as Namibia’s third president in 2014. After undergoing brain surgery in 2013, the anti-apartheid activist turned politician revealed in 2014 that he had survived prostate cancer. Last year, it was announced that he had undergone aortic surgery in neighbouring South Africa.
The former German colony, Namibia, gained independence from South Africa in 1990 and is scheduled to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in November. According to Namibia’s constitution, it limits the president to a maximum of two terms in office, which Geingob ruled out running for re-election. If elected, Nandi-Ndaitwah, the ruling SWAPO Party’s presidential candidate, would be the country’s first female head of state.
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