Namibian President Hage Geingob, anti-apartheid activist turned statesman, dies at age 82

Hage Geingob, President of Namibia, considered one of Africa’s most steady democracies, died Sunday whereas receiving medical remedy at a neighborhood hospital, his workplace introduced.

The Namibian presidency mentioned Geingob’s medical staff at Girl Pohamba Hospital did its greatest to assist him, however he died together with his spouse, Monica Geingos, and youngsters by his facet, in a publish on X, previously Twitter,

Angolo Mbumba, Namibia’s performing president, referred to as for calm, saying in the identical publish that the “Cupboard will convene with quick impact so as to make the mandatory state preparations on this regard.”

Native media reported Mbumba has referred to as for an pressing cupboard assembly.

Based on Namibia’s structure, there must be an election to decide on a brand new president inside 90 days of Geingob’s demise. 

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 dwelling on Jan. 31 from the USA the place he had undergone a trial two-day “novel remedy for cancerous cells,” in keeping 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 closing time period in workplace this yr. 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 many years 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 international locations.

However, like many African leaders, he additionally solid a heat relationship with China, refuting claims that Beijing is aggressively asserting financial affect over international locations 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. Nonetheless, the nation’s opposition slammed Geingob final yr for endorsing disputed elections in Zimbabwe.

Condolences from numerous African leaders poured in on Sunday.

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa posted on X, saying Geingob’s “management and resilience will likely be remembered.”

Cyril Ramaphosa, president of neighboring South Africa and considered one of 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 individuals of Namibia with focus and dedication” and “strongly promoted the continent’s voice and visibility on the international area.”

In an announcement, Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned he would “perpetually cherish” his recollections of assembly Geingob. “It’s tough to overestimate his private contribution to growing pleasant relations between Namibia and Russia.”

Namibia, a rustic of simply over 2.5 million individuals, is wealthy in minerals resembling diamonds, gold and uranium. Regardless of being labeled as an upper-middle-income nation, socioeconomic inequalities are nonetheless widespread, in keeping with the World Financial institution.

Namibians have been anticipated to move to the ballots in November to decide on a brand new chief.