Namibia’s President, Hage Geingob has died at the age of 82. His office made the announcement on Sunday, less than three weeks after it was announced he would undergo treatment for cancer.
Namibia’s President, Hage Geingob has died at the age of 82. His office made the announcement on Sunday, less than three weeks after it was announced he would undergo treatment for cancer.
Agency Reports quoted the acting president, Nangolo Mbumba as saying in a statement posted on Geingob’s official Facebook page, that the late leader died on Sunday at Lady Pohamba Hospital in the capital Windhoek with his wife and his children at his side.
The statement announced; “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.
READ ALSO:
Namibia pivoting from coal to hydrogen to lead Africa’s green energy quest
“At this moment of deepest 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.”
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.
Geingob’s office later announced that he would travel to the United States for medical care and would return to Namibia on February 2.
Geingob, who also served a 12-year stint as prime minister, had a history of health problems that preceded his election as Namibia’s third president in 2014.
In 2013, the anti-apartheid activist-turned-politician underwent brain surgery, and the following year he revealed that he had survived prostate cancer.
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.