Aged 82, Namibian President Hage Geingob died early Sunday, February 4, at hospital in Windhoek, the Namibian capital, where he was being treated after the discovery of cancer cells, the presidency announced, in a message posted on social network
“It is with the greatest sadness and regret that I inform you that our beloved Dr. Hage G. Geingob, the President of the Republic of Namibia, passed away today” at the Lady Pohamba Hospital where he received medical treatment, it is written in a declaration signed by the new interim head of state, Nangolo Mbumba, who was until then vice-president.
Geingob, who had been president of Namibia since 2014, was surrounded by his wife and children at the time of his death, the statement said.
Operated several times
Last month, the presidency announced that a routine medical check-up had revealed the presence of “cancer cells” in the head of state and specified that he would undergo “appropriate treatment”, while retaining his functions. Hage Geingob had already suffered health problems, including before coming to power. In 2013, he had brain surgery. Last year, he had an aortic operation in South Africa, a country neighboring Namibia.
Elected in 2014 then re-elected at the end of 2019, Mr. Geingob had previously been prime minister for twelve years, a record for longevity in Namibia, a semi-desert country in southern Africa which was one of the last states on the continent to access the independence in 1990. Presidential and legislative elections are to be held at the end of the year in the country.