Hage Geingob, President of Namibia, one in all Africa’s most steady democracies, died Sunday whereas receiving medical remedy at an area hospital, his workplace introduced.
The Namibian presidency mentioned Geingob’s medical group at Girl Pohamba Hospital did its greatest to assist him, however he died together with his spouse, Monica Geingos, and kids by his aspect, in a put up on X, previously Twitter,
Angolo Mbumba, Namibia’s appearing president, referred to as for calm, saying in the identical put up that the “Cupboard will convene with quick impact with the intention to make the required state preparations on this regard.”
Native media reported Mbumba has referred to as for an pressing cupboard assembly.
In keeping with Namibia’s structure, there needs to be an election to decide on a brand new president inside 90 days of Geingob’s loss of life.
Julien de Rosa/ Pool by way of REUTERS
Geingob was present process remedy for most cancers. The 82-year-old had a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy on Jan. 8, adopted by a biopsy, his workplace mentioned final month.
He returned residence on Jan. 31 from the US the place he had undergone a trial two-day “novel remedy for cancerous cells,” in line with his workplace. In 2014, he mentioned he had survived prostate most cancers.
Geingob, president of the southern African nation since 2015, was set to complete his second and last time period in workplace this 12 months. He was the nation’s third president because it gained independence in 1990, following greater than a century of German after which apartheid South African rule.
After spending practically three a long time 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 additionally served in the identical capability from 2008 to 2012.
Comfortable-spoken however agency on advancing Africa’s agenda as an essential stakeholder in world affairs, Geingob maintained shut relations with the U.S. and different Western nations.
However, like many African leaders, he additionally cast a heat relationship with China, refuting claims that Beijing is aggressively asserting financial affect over nations in Africa as a type of colonialism.
Namibia, which is on the southwestern coast of Africa, enjoys political and financial stability in a area ravaged by disputes, violent elections and coups. Nevertheless, the nation’s opposition slammed Geingob final 12 months for endorsing disputed elections in Zimbabwe.
Condolences from varied African leaders poured in on Sunday.
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa posted on X, saying Geingob’s “management and resilience shall be remembered.”
Cyril Ramaphosa, president of neighboring South Africa and one in all Namibia’s largest buying and selling companions, described him as a ” shut associate in our democratic dispensation” and “a towering veteran of Namibia’s liberation from colonialism and apartheid.”
Kenya’s Prime Minister William Ruto mentioned Geingob was a “distinguished chief who served the folks of Namibia with focus and dedication” and “strongly promoted the continent’s voice and visibility on the international area.”
In a press release, Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned he would “ceaselessly cherish” his recollections of assembly Geingob. “It’s troublesome to overestimate his private contribution to growing pleasant relations between Namibia and Russia.”
Namibia, a rustic of simply over 2.5 million folks, is wealthy in minerals akin to diamonds, gold and uranium. Regardless of being categorized as an upper-middle-income nation, socioeconomic inequalities are nonetheless widespread, in line with the World Financial institution.
Namibians have been anticipated to go to the ballots in November to decide on a brand new chief.