Namibia's President Hage Geingob dies at the age of 82

CNN
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Namibian President Hage Geingob has died at the age of 82 in a hospital in the capital, Windhoek, where he was receiving treatment, according to a statement issued by Acting President Nangolo Mbumba.

The statement, posted on the presidential account on X, formerly known as Twitter, said Geingob died shortly after midnight, around 12:04 a.m. EST on Sunday, at Lady Pohamba Hospital with his wife Monica Geingos and children at his side. .

Geingob was receiving treatment in hospital after he revealed in January that he had been diagnosed with cancer. He returned last Wednesday from a trip to the United States, where he was undergoing treatment for two days as part of a medical trial, according to his office.

“His medical team, as I informed the nation only yesterday, is doing everything possible to ensure our President’s recovery. “Unfortunately, despite the team’s best efforts to save his life, President Geingob and his fellow Namibians have sadly passed away,” Mbumba said.

Mbumba appealed to the nation to “remain calm and collected” while the government makes arrangements and preparations, saying more details will be announced later.

He said that the Council of Ministers met “with immediate effect in order to make the necessary governmental arrangements in this regard.”

Geingob has served as president since 2015 and is currently in his second term. He also served as the country's first Prime Minister, a position he held from 1990 to 2002 under former President Sam Nujoma, after Namibia gained independence from South Africa.