In João Lourenço's message, Hage Geingob is remembered as someone who “knew from a very young age how to dedicate himself to the cause of rescuing the dignity of African peoples, self-determination, independence and sovereignty of countries” on the African continent.
“We have lost a unique figure in the contemporary history of the Namibian people, who leaves a void that is difficult to fill”, highlights the head of state, acting president of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
A dozen other African leaders joined João Lourenço, mourning the death of Hage Geingob, this evening, at the age of 82.
The leaders of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia and Burundi highlighted the leadership of the former President of Namibia.
The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, remembered him as “a patriot”, who played an important role in the liberation of “sister Namibia” from “colonialism and apartheid”.
Namibia became independent from South Africa in 1990 and Hage Geingob “also had a great influence on the solidarity that the people of Namibia had with the people of South Africa”, Ramaphosa noted.
The director of the World Health Organization, Ethiopian Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted the "bravery" of Hage Geingob, who he classified as "a visionary", and his “dedication to improving the lives and health of Namibians”.
Hage Geingob's death was announced in a statement by the vice-president of Namibia, Nangolo Mbumba, who will temporarily assume leadership of the country until the general elections scheduled for this year.
According to the statement, Geingob died shortly after midnight at the private Lady Pohamba hospital in the country's capital, Windhoek.
The causes of death are unknown, but two weeks ago the Presidency of Namibia informed that Hage Geingob would begin treatment against cancer.
As head of the country since 2015, Geingob was finishing his second and final term.
Hage Geingob took office as President in 2015 and was primarily responsible for initiating talks with Germany on reviewing the atrocities committed by the German Empire during the colonial period and possible compensation.
