World

President Of Namibia – Hage Geingob Dies In Hospital Where He Was Receiving Treatment

Hage Geingob, President of Namibia, one of Africa’s most stable democracies, died Sunday while receiving medical treatment at a local hospital, his office announced. The Namibian presidency said Geingob’s medical team at Lady Pohamba Hospital did its best to help him, but he died with his wife, Monica Geingos, and children by his side, in a post on X (formerly Twitter)

Namibia’s acting President calls for calm

Angolo Mbumba, Namibia’s acting president, called for calm, saying in the same post that the “Cabinet will convene with immediate effect in order to make the necessary state arrangements in this regard.”

Geingob was undergoing treatment for cancer. The 82-year-old had a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy on January 8, followed by a biopsy, his office said last month. He returned home on January 31 from the United States where he had undergone a trial two-day “novel treatment for cancerous cells,” according to his office. In 2014, he said he had survived prostate cancer.

Third President of Namibia

Geingob, president of the southern African nation since 2015, was set to finish his second and final term in office this year. He was the country’s third president since it gained independence in 1990, following more than a century of German and then apartheid South African rule.

After spending nearly three decades in exile in neighboring Botswana and the U.S. as an anti-apartheid activist, Geingob returned to Namibia as its first prime minister from 1990 to 2002. He also served in the same capacity from 2008 to 2012.

Geingob’s international relations

Soft-spoken but firm on advancing Africa’s agenda as an important stakeholder in world affairs, Geingob maintained close relations with the U.S. and other Western countries. But, like many African leaders, he also forged a warm relationship with China, refuting claims that Beijing is aggressively asserting economic influence over countries in Africa as a form of colonialism.

Namibia, which is on the southwestern coast of Africa, enjoys political and economic stability in a region ravaged by disputes, violent elections and coups. However, the country’s opposition slammed Geingob last year for endorsing disputed elections in Zimbabwe.

Also Read: Hamas Says US Strikes On Iraq And Syria Pour Oil On Fire

Condolences pouring in from all Africa

Condolences from various African leaders poured in on Sunday. Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnanawa posted on X, saying Geingob’s “leadership and resilience will be remembered.”

Cyril Ramaphosa, president of neighboring South Africa and one of Namibia’s largest trading partners, described him as a “ close partner in our democratic dispensation” and “a towering veteran of Namibia’s liberation from colonialism and apartheid.”

Kenya’s Prime Minister William Ruto said Geingob was a “distinguished leader who served the people of Namibia with focus and dedication” and “strongly promoted the continent’s voice and visibility at the global arena.”

Namibia, a country of just over 2.5 million people, is rich in minerals such as diamonds, gold and uranium. Despite being classified as an upper-middle-income country, socioeconomic inequalities are still widespread, according to the World Bank.

Bharat Express English

Recent Posts

ED Registers Money Laundering Case In 52 kg Gold Seizure Incident

ED officially entered the investigation into the high-profile case involving the seizure of 52 kilograms…

2 mins ago

PM Modi Emphasizes Youth Empowerment & Education Reforms During Appointment Letter Distribution

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reiterated the importance of nurturing the potential of India's…

14 mins ago

Rouse Avenue Court To Hear Land-For-Jobs Scam Cases On January 16-17

The hearing was postponed as a key officer withheld permission to prosecute an alleged accused.…

42 mins ago

PM Modi Distributes Over 71,000 Appointment Letters; Highlights Youth-Centric Initiatives

On Monday, PM Modi distributed more than 71,000 appointment letters to newly recruited government employees…

1 hour ago

Man Sets Women Ablaze In NewYork Subway, Arrested

Describing the attack, New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch said, "As the train pulled…

1 hour ago

Bharat Express CMD Upendrra Rai To Highlight Media’s Role In Societal Empowerment

The Media Division Brahma Kumaris to commemorate the 9th death anniversary of Rajyogi Brahmakumar Omprakash…

1 hour ago