Namibian President Hage Geingob has passed away at the age of 82 while receiving treatment for cancer in a Windhoek hospital, announced Acting President and former Vice President Nangolo on Sunday.
In a somber post on X (formerly Twitter), Acting President Nangolo expressed deep sadness and regret, stating, "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."
President Geingob's battle with cancer was first revealed during a routine medical checkup in January, a standard practice for the long-serving leader who had previously overcome prostate cancer. Opting for an experimental treatment, he spent two days in a specialized Los Angeles cancer hospital. Upon his return to Namibia, Geingob continued his treatment with chemotherapy.
His passing occurred on Sunday, surrounded by his wife and children. The nation mourns the loss of a leader described by Acting President Nangolo as a "distinguished servant of the people, a liberation struggle icon, the chief architect of our constitution, and the pillar of the Namibian house."
The cabinet swiftly convened "with immediate effect to make the necessary state arrangements," according to the acting president.
Hage Geingob's political journey was deeply intertwined with the liberation struggle of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) from the 1960s onwards. In his 20s, he studied in the United States, where he collaborated with the United Nations.
Following Namibia's independence from apartheid-era South Africa in 1990, Geingob became the country's first prime minister, serving alongside President Sam Nujoma. In November 2014, he was elected president, leading the nation until his untimely death.
Namibia now faces the task of mourning the loss of a key figure in its history while preparing for the necessary state arrangements following President Geingob's passing. The legacy of Hage Geingob as a liberation leader, constitutional architect, and statesman will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on Namibia's political landscape.
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