Namibia’s First Prime Minister after country’s independence from South Africa in 1990, Hage Geingob is dead. The 82-year-old leader died in the early of Sunday in a hospital in the capital, Windhoek, according to the statement issued by the presidential office.
Geingob, who was serving his second and final term as president, revealed in January that he was receiving treatment for cancer. First elected president in 2014, Geingob was Namibia’s longest serving prime minister and third president. The country is to hold Presidential and National Assembly elections towards the end of the year to elect his successor.
“It is with utmost sadness and regret that I inform you that our beloved Dr. Hage G Geingob, the president of the Republic of Namibia has passed on today,” said a statement on Sunday from the Acting President, Nangolo Mbumba. “At his side was his wife, Madame Monica Geingos, and his children.”
In 2013, Geingob underwent brain surgery, and in 2023, he underwent an aortic operation in neighbouring South Africa. Up until his death, he had been receiving treatment at Lady Pohamba Hospital in Windhoek.
MUST READ: ECOWAS Expresses Concern Over Senegal’s Election Postponement
“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,” said Mbumba.
“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.”
He said the cabinet would convene immediately to make the necessary state arrangements”.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
