Namibian President Hage Geingob has passed away at the age of 82, less than three weeks after it was revealed that he would undergo treatment for cancer, according to an announcement from his office. Geingob died on Sunday at Lady Pohamba Hospital in Windhoek, with his family by his side, as mentioned in a statement by acting president Nangolo Mbumba, posted on Geingob’s official Facebook page.
Mbumba expressed, “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.”
Geingob’s office had disclosed last month that he had initiated treatment following the discovery of “cancerous cells” during a routine colonoscopy and gastroscopy. While the announcement didn’t provide specific details about the diagnosis or prognosis, it assured that Geingob would continue his presidential duties. Later, it was revealed that he would travel to the United States for medical care and return to Namibia on February 2.
The late president, who served as prime minister for 12 years, had a history of health issues predating his presidency in 2014. In 2013, he underwent brain surgery, and in the subsequent year, he disclosed surviving prostate cancer. In 2023, Geingob announced he had undergone aortic surgery in South Africa.
Namibia, which gained independence from South Africa in 1990, is scheduled to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in November. As per Namibia’s constitution, Geingob was ineligible for re-election, limiting the president to two terms in office. The ruling SWAPO Party’s presidential candidate, Nandi-Ndaitwah, would become the country’s first female head of state if elected.
