Namibian President Hage Geingob passed away early today at the age of 82 at a hospital in Windhoek, where he was receiving treatment for cancer, as announced by the presidency on the X platform.
The statement, signed by the acting Head of State Nangolo Mbumba, who was the Vice President, expressed, “With deep sorrow and regret, I inform you that Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia, passed away today at Lady Pohamba Private Hospital where he was receiving treatment.”
The statement noted that Geingob, who had been President of Namibia since 2014, was surrounded by his wife and children when he passed away at Lady Pohamba Private Hospital in the capital.
In January last year, the presidency announced that a routine medical examination revealed the presence of “cancer cells” in the head of state, stating that he would undergo “appropriate treatment” while retaining his presidential duties.
Geingob had been facing health challenges before assuming office. In 2013, he underwent brain surgery.
In 2014, while serving as Prime Minister, Geingob announced his recovery from prostate cancer. He subsequently became the country’s president the following year.
Namibia is scheduled to hold presidential and parliamentary elections at the end of the year.
Gaza Support
Before his passing, Geingob declared his country’s rejection of Germany’s support for Israel’s stance in the International Court of Justice, where it faces charges of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
The Namibian presidency, in a statement on the X platform, expressed deep concern about the “shocking decision” made by Germany two days ago, in which it dismissed South Africa’s ethical indictment submitted to the International Court of Justice against Israel.
Namibia pointed to what it described as the “first genocide” in the 20th century committed by Germany on Namibian soil between 1904 and 1908, where “tens of thousands of innocent Namibians perished in inhumane and brutal conditions.”
It stated that the German government has not fully atoned for the genocide it committed on Namibian soil.
Windhoek criticized Berlin for disregarding the heavy strikes that claimed the lives of over 23,000 Palestinians in Gaza, as well as ignoring various United Nations reports highlighting the internal displacement of nearly 85% of civilians in Gaza amid severe food shortages and basic service deficiencies.
