Namibia mourns President Hage Geingob

Namibia’s acting president, Nangolo Mbumba, has announced the passing of President Hage Geingob early Sunday at the Lady Pohamba Hospital in Windhoek.

The 82-year-old leader, serving his second term, succumbed to complications related to cancer.

His death marks the end of an era for Namibia, as Geingob played pivotal roles in the country’s liberation struggle and diplomatic endeavors.

Geingob, Namibia’s longest-serving prime minister and third president, had been undergoing treatment since revealing his battle with cancer last month.

The announcement of his passing was made through an official statement, expressing “utmost sadness and regret.” The president was surrounded by his family, including his wife, Madame Monica Geingos, at the time of his death.

The late president gained international attention recently by supporting South Africa’s complaint against Israel under the Genocide Convention and condemning Germany for rejecting Namibia’s case. His diplomatic stance resonated with leaders across Africa, with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa praising Geingob’s leadership and calling him a “towering veteran of Namibia’s liberation.”

President William Ruto of Kenya also lauded Geingob’s commitment to a unified Africa and his efforts in promoting the continent’s voice globally. Geingob’s impact extended beyond Namibia’s borders, leaving a legacy of solidarity and freedom.

Geingob’s political journey began with activism against South Africa’s apartheid regime, leading to his appointment as the representative for the SWAPO liberation movement at the United Nations in 1964. Born in a village in northern Namibia in 1941, he spent nearly three decades abroad, returning to Namibia in 1989 to lead SWAPO’s election campaign in the wake of the country’s independence.

Namibia now faces the challenge of bidding farewell to a distinguished leader, a liberation struggle icon, and the chief architect of its constitution. As the nation mourns, acting president Mbumba called for calm, stating that the government will attend to all necessary state arrangements and protocols.

The cabinet is set to convene immediately to address the upcoming presidential and national assembly elections, scheduled towards the end of the year. Namibia stands united in honoring the legacy of President Hage Geingob.