– Namibia president Hage Geingob’s advocacy for Africa on world stage
– Hage Geingob’s role as an anti-apartheid activist in Namibia.
Hage Geingob, Namibia’s president and founding prime minister, has tragically passed away at the age of 82. He was receiving treatment for cancer at the time of his death. Geingob played a pivotal role in establishing one of Africa’s most stable democracies, following his return from a lengthy exile as an anti-apartheid activist in Botswana and the United States.
Geingob had been serving as Namibia’s president since 2015 and was set to complete his second and final term this year. However, his deputy, Vice President Nangolo Mbumba, has been sworn in as acting president to fulfill the remainder of the term, as permitted by the country’s constitution. Elections are scheduled for November, with the winner assuming office on March 21st of next year.
The president’s office has stated that Geingob passed away in a local hospital, surrounded by his family. Last month, he had returned to Namibia from the United States, where he underwent a novel two-day treatment for cancerous cells. In 2014, he had previously revealed that he had successfully battled prostate cancer.
Geingob was known for his soft-spoken demeanor and unwavering commitment to advancing Africa’s interests on the global stage. He maintained strong relationships with the United States and other Western countries, while also forging warm ties with China and other influential powers. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences, highlighting Geingob’s significant contributions to fostering friendly relations between Namibia and Russia.
The late president hosted U.S. first lady Jill Biden last year during her visit to Namibia, which was originally intended to precede a planned trip to Africa by her husband. Unfortunately, the anticipated visit did not take place. Namibia, with its population of just over 2.5 million people, possesses abundant mineral resources such as diamonds, gold, and uranium. However, socioeconomic inequalities remain widespread, despite the country’s classification as an upper-middle-income nation according to the World Bank.
Namibia has achieved both political and economic stability in a region that has often been plagued by conflict and disputed elections. While Geingob faced criticism from the opposition for endorsing disputed elections in Zimbabwe, opposition leader McHenry Venaani paid tribute to him, recognizing his exceptional leadership during turbulent times.
Geingob was a master negotiator and statesman, known for his outspokenness on domestic and international issues. He drew attention in January when he criticized Germany for supporting Israel amidst South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Geingob referred to the events between 1904 and 1908 when colonial security forces in Namibia killed tens of thousands of people while suppressing an uprising. Germany acknowledged these actions as genocide in 2021 and pledged over $1 billion for infrastructure projects in Namibia.
African leaders have expressed their condolences for the loss of Geingob. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described him as a towering veteran of Namibia’s liberation from colonialism and apartheid. Kenyan President William Ruto praised Geingob for his promotion of the continent’s voice and visibility on the global stage, while Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa acknowledged his leadership and resilience.
The passing of Hage Geingob is undoubtedly a significant loss, not only for Namibia but for the entire African continent. His legacy as a skilled negotiator and steadfast leader will be remembered for years to come. May he rest in peace..
– Namibia president Hage Geingob dies
– Anti-apartheid activist Hage Geingob’s impact.
