According to his office, Namibian President Hage Geingob passed away at the age of 82, less than three weeks after it was revealed he would receive cancer treatment.
Geingob’s wife and children were by his side when he passed away on Sunday at Lady Pohamba Hospital in Windhoek, according to a statement released on Geingob’s official Facebook page by interim president Nangolo Mbumba.
“The chief architect of our constitution, the cornerstone of the Namibian house, a distinguished servant of the people, and an icon of the liberation struggle has left the Namibian nation,” Mbumba declared.
At this time of extreme sadness, I implore the people to maintain composure while the government takes care of all required state arrangements, preparations, and other formalities. There will be more announcements made in this regard.
Last month, Geingob’s office declared that he had started treatment after “cancerous cells” were found during a regular gastroscopy and colonoscopy.
The statement stated that the African leader would continue to fulfill his presidential responsibilities but did not disclose the nature of his illness or prognosis.
Later, Geingob’s administration declared that he would leave for medical treatment in the US and return to Namibia on February 2.
Prior to his 12-year tenure as prime minister, Geingob has a history of health issues.
