The president of Namibia Hage Geingob died on Sunday, February 4 in at Lady Pohamba Hospital in Windhoek while undergoing treatment.
According to a statement by the country’s presidency that was shared on X, the late Geingob died with his wife and children at his side.
“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 Lady Pohamba Hospital where he was receiving medical treatment from his medical team,” read part of the statement.
The country’s Vice President Dr Nangolo Mbumba said medics had tried hard to save the life of Geingob.
“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.”
Namibia leader was a servant – Vice President
Dr Mbumba described the late head of state as “a distinguished servant of the people, a liberation struggle icon, the chief architect of our constitution and the pillar of the Namibian house.”
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Furthermore, he called for calm as the government puts in place necessary state arrangements, preparations and other protocols.
“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.”
While serving as the country’s prime minister in 2014, he announced that he had survived prostate cancer.
Geingob who died at 82, became president in 2015 and was serving his second and final term.
What’s more, Namibia is set to go to the polls late this year in November for presidential and parliamentary elections.
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Ahead of the elections, the ruling Swapo party picked Namibia’s deputy prime minister, Mrs Nandi-Ndaitwah as its presidential flag-bearer.
Should Nandi-Ndaitwah triumph, she will become the country’s first female president.
