Namibia is in mourning following the passing of President Hage Gottfried Geingob, who succumbed to illness while undergoing medical treatment at a hospital in the capital city, Windhoek.
Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba officially announced the president’s death in the early hours of Sunday morning, Reuters reports.
President Geingob, aged 82, was surrounded by his beloved wife, Madame Monica Geingos, and his children at the time of his passing, as shared in a statement by Mr. Mbumba.
The late leader had bravely shared his battle with cancer with the public just last month.
Following his diagnosis, he sought medical treatment in the United States, returning home a few days later.
President Geingob, who assumed office in 2015 and was in his second and final term, had a history of health challenges, including an aortic operation last year and a previous triumph over prostate cancer in 2014.
Namibia, now faced with the loss of its leader, is set to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in November.
The ruling Swapo party, which has held power since the country gained independence in 1990, has selected Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as its presidential candidate.
Currently serving as Namibia’s deputy prime minister, Nandi-Ndaitwah is poised to become the nation’s first female president if successful in the upcoming elections.
The passing of President Geingob marks the end of an era for Namibia, as the nation reflects on the significant contributions made by its late leader.
