Somalia president joins African leaders in mourning Namibia President Hage Geingob

MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has joined fellow African leaders in mourning Namibian President Hage Geingob who passed away on Sunday morning aged 82, after a long illness including a battle with cancer.

In his statement, Hassan Sheikh hailed Hage Geingob as a Pan-Africanist who toiled to liberate the country from colonialists besides steering the writing of the new constitution for Namibia. He was undergoing treatment at Lady Pohamba Hospital in Windhoek.

"Dr Hage G. Geingob was a distinguished leader who devoted his life to the service of his people and was a respected voice on the African continent," Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

"During this difficult time, we stand in solidarity with his family and the Namibian people as they mourn the loss of a great leader," he added while acknowledging the loss as a huge blow to Africa.

Namibia Presidency announced the death on Sunday morning in a statement attributed to Nangolo Mbumba, the acting president. He said Hage Geingob died under the watch of his children and wife.

"The Namibian nation has lost a distinguished servant of the people, a liberation struggle icon, the chief architect of our constitution and the pillar of the Namibian house," he said. "At this moment of deepest sorrow, I appeal to the nation to remain calm and collected while the Government attends to all necessary state arrangements, preparations and other protocols. Further announcements in this regard will be made."

"While keeping the President’s bereaved family, and you, dear fellow Namibians, in our thoughts and prayers, Cabinet will convene with immediate effect to make the necessary state arrangements in this regard."

Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), William Ruto (Kenya), Hakainde Hichilema (Zambia), Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania) and former president of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta are some of the distinguished leaders who have conveyed condolences to the people of the Republic of Namibia.

GAROWE ONLINE