Namibia’s President Hage Geingob, 82, died in hospital early on Sunday, the presidency said, weeks after he was diagnosed with cancer.
The post on social media platform X did not give a cause of death, but late last month the presidency said he would travel to the United States for treatment after being diagnosed with cancer following a regular medical check-up.
Geingob died at Lady Pohamba Hospital in Windhoek, where he was receiving treatment from his medical team, the presidency said.
As prime minister in 2014, he told the public that he had survived prostate cancer. He became president the following year.
“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. At this moment of deepest sorrow, I appeal to the nation to remain calm and collected while the Government attends to all necessary state arrangements, preparations and other protocols. Further announcements in this regard will be made.
While keeping the President’s bereaved family, and you, dear fellow Namibians, in our thoughts and prayers, Cabinet will convene with immediate effect in order to make the necessary state arrangements in this regard” The official statement read.
The southern African country is due to hold presidential and parliamentary elections at the end of the year.
Reuters
