Namibian President Hage Geingob Dies in Hospital during Cancer Treatment
Namibian President Hage Geingob has passed away while undergoing medical treatment, according to an announcement from his office. Mr Geingob was being treated at Lady Pohamba Hospital, where his medical team made every effort to help him. He died with his wife, Monica Geingos, and children by his side.
Having served as president since 2015, Geingob was in his second and final term, set to finish this year. Following his death, Hage Geingob’s deputy, vice-president Nangolo Mbumba, has been sworn in as acting president to complete the term, in accordance with the country’s constitution. Presidential elections are scheduled for November, and Mr. Mbumba will lead Namibia until the winner of the election takes office on March 21 next year.
The 82-year-old president was undergoing cancer treatment. Last month, his office stated that he had undergone a colonoscopy, gastroscopy, and biopsy on January 8. He returned home from the United States on January 31 after a two-day trial of a novel cancer treatment. Mr. Geingob had previously battled and overcome prostate cancer in 2014.
Hage Geingob was the third president of Namibia since the country gained independence in 1990, following decades of German and apartheid South African rule. Prior to serving as president, he spent nearly three decades in exile in Botswana and the US as an anti-apartheid activist. Geingob returned to Namibia and became the country’s first prime minister from 1990 to 2002. He also served as prime minister from 2008 to 2012.
Known for his soft-spoken nature and dedication to Africa’s agenda on the global stage, Geingob maintained close relationships with the United States and other Western countries. However, like many African leaders, he also fostered strong ties with China, denying claims that Beijing was exerting colonial-like economic influence over African nations.
Namibia, located on Africa’s southwestern coast, has enjoyed political and economic stability in a region plagued by conflicts, turbulent elections, and coups. Nevertheless, last year, the country’s opposition criticized Geingob for endorsing disputed elections in Zimbabwe.
Condolences poured in from various African leaders following the President’s passing. Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa praised Geingob’s leadership and resilience, while South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa described him as a towering veteran and a close partner in their respective democratic dispensations. Kenya’s Prime Minister William Ruto commended Geingob’s service to the people of Namibia and his efforts to amplify the continent’s voice globally. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who met Geingob, expressed his deep appreciation for their friendship.
Namibia, with a population of just over 2.5 million, boasts vast mineral resources, including diamonds, gold, and uranium. However, socioeconomic inequalities persist despite being classified as an upper-middle-income country, according to the World Bank.
President Hage Geingob’s passing leaves a significant void in Namibia’s political landscape. As the nation mourns, it faces a transition of power, with Nangolo Mbumba assuming the role of acting president until the upcoming elections in November. The legacy of Geingob, a revered figure in Namibian history, will undoubtedly endure.
