The president of Namibia, Hage Geingomb, 82, died in the early hours of this morning in a hospital in the capital Windhoek, where he was hospitalized after the detection of cancer cells, the presidency announced via X (the former Twitter).

“It is with the greatest sadness that we inform you that our beloved Dr. Hage Gottfried Geingob, the president of the Republic of Namibia, died today” in hospital Lady Pohamba where “he was receiving medical treatment”, according to a statement posted and signed by the new transitional head of state, the Nangolo Bumbaas earlier today the country’s vice president.

As the announcement states, “by Hage Geingob’s side were his beloved wife Monika Geingos and his children.”

“The nation of Namibia has lost a distinguished public servant, an icon of the liberation struggle, the chief architect of our Constitution and a pillar of the Namibian house. At this time of deepest sorrow, I appeal to the nation to remain calm and collected while the Government takes care of all necessary state arrangements, preparations and other protocols,” the statement added.

Last month, the presidency announced that during routine medical tests the presence of “cancerous cells” in the president’s body was revealed, adding that he would be provided with “appropriate treatment” and that he would continue to exercise his duties.

Hage Geingob was already known to be suffering from health problems even before he assumed the presidency. In 2013 he had brain surgery. Last year, he underwent aortic surgery in South Africa, a country that neighbors Namibia.

The late, who rose to the presidency in 2014 and was re-elected to the post in 2019, was previously prime minister for 12 years, setting a record for longest tenure in Namibia, a semi-desert southern African country that was one of the last to gain independence. them, in 1990 (from South Africa).