Namibia’s President Hage Geingob has died while receiving medical treatment at a hospital in the capital, Windhoek.
Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba announced that Mr Geingob had died in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“At his side was his dear wife Madame Monica Geingos and his children,” Mr Mbumba said in a statement.
The 82-old leader had been diagnosed with cancer and revealed his diagnosis to the public last month.
His office announced he would be travelling to the US for treatment, but would return to Namibia on 2 February.
Mr Geingob became president in 2015 and was serving his second and final term in office.
He underwent an aortic operation last year, and in 2014 he revealed that he had survived prostate cancer.
Namibia is due to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in November.
The governing Swapo party, which has been in power since independence in 1990, has chosen Mrs Nandi-Ndaitwah as its presidential candidate.
She is currently also Namibia’s deputy prime minister, and will become the country’s first female president if she wins.
Namibia is among Africa’s Top 10 best governed countries and least corrupt countries.
Below is the full statement released by Nangolo Mbumba confirming the death of the President.
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 today, Sunday 4 February 2024 at around 00h04 at Lady Pohamba Hospital where he was receiving medical treatment from his medical team. At his side, was his dear wife Madame Monica Geingos and his children.
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.
Fellow Namibians,
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 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.
While keeping the President’s bereaved family, and you, dear fellow Namibians, in our thoughts and prayers, Cabinet will convene with immediate effect in order to make the necessary state arrangements in this regard.
May the Soul of our beloved Dr Hage G. Geingob Rest in Eternal Peace.
H.E. DR NANGOLO MBUMBA
ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA.
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Source: BBC
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