Namibia’s president, Hage Geingob, has passed away. He was 82 years old.
In a post on X, Namibia’s vice president and interim head of state, Dr Nangolo Mbumba, announced the death of Dr. Geingob.
“Fellow Namibians, 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, Sunday 4 February 2024.
“His medical team, as I informed the nation only yesterday has been trying its utmost best to ensure that our President recovers. Regrettably, notwithstanding the team’s spirited effort to save his life, sadly, fellow Namibians, President Geingob passed on,” the statement added.
Announcement of the Passing of H.E Dr @hagegeingob, President of the Republic of Namibia, 04 February 2024
Fellow Namibians,
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… pic.twitter.com/Qb2t6M5nHi
— Namibian Presidency (@NamPresidency) February 4, 2024
Following his public diagnosis of cancer just one month ago, the 82-year-old leader, who was receiving medical care in Windhoek, lost his fight against the disease.
Before his anticipated return to Namibia on February 2, President Geingob’s office had revealed his intention to receive medical attention in the United States. He was in his second and last term as president, having taken office in 2015.
World leaders commiserate with Namibia
Rest in peace, and words of condolence have been pouring in following the demise of President Geingob.
President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Dembudzo Mnangagwa, wrote on X, “My heartfelt condolences to the family of President Hage Geingob and the people of Namibia. President Geingob’s leadership and resilience will be remembered. May his soul rest in peace. Our thoughts are with Namibia during this difficult time.”
“Rest in Peace my Dear Brother, Dr. Hage G. Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia,” President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan remarked.
“Rest in Peace SWAPO and Namibian President, Cde Hage Geingob,” South Africa’s ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, also posted on X.
Nigerian leader Bola Tinubu, in a condolence statement released on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, noted that Geingob’s passing came at a time when the continent of Africa needed his visionary qualities.
“President Tinubu mourns the painful loss of this veteran in the struggle for democracy; proponent of good governance, and advocate of economic, social, and political solidarity among African peoples.”
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Namibia goes to the polls in November 2024
As Namibia gets ready for next November’s presidential and parliamentary elections, the country must now deal with the death of a well-respected leader.
Mrs. Nandi-Ndaitwah is the presidential candidate of the ruling Swapo party, which has ruled Namibia since the country’s independence in 1990.
If she wins the upcoming elections, Mrs. Nandi-Ndaitwah, currently Namibia’s deputy prime minister, will become the nation’s first female president.
President Hage Geingob’s death is a major event in Namibian politics, and the country is considering how to move forward in the face of this loss and honour his legacy.