Namibia: Mbumba Sworn In After Hage Geingob's Passing at 82
Namibia‘s President, Hage Geingob, passed away at the age of 82 in Lady Pohamba Hospital, Windhoek, early on Sunday. The veteran leader, a key figure in the country's struggle for independence, succumbed to cancer, a diagnosis he had made public just weeks before.
Nangolo Mbumba, the vice president, was swiftly sworn in as the new president, succeeding Geingob. In a ceremony at the state house, Mbumba reassured the nation, stating, “I am not going to be around for the elections, so don't panic.” He praised Geingob as a “liberation icon” and highlighted the calm and stability maintained under Geingob's leadership.
Geingob's battle with cancer led him to undergo treatment in the United States, but he returned home at the end of January. His death marks the end of a political era, as he had been a prominent figure since Namibia's independence in 1990, serving as prime minister and later as president.
Despite Geingob's initial popularity, evidenced by his 2014 election victory with 87% of the vote, challenges arose during his presidency. Economic stagnation, high unemployment, and corruption scandals, such as the “fishrot” controversy, contributed to a decline in public confidence. By 2019, his approval ratings had fallen to 56%.
As the nation mourns Geingob's passing, global leaders, including South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa, acknowledge his pivotal role in Namibia's liberation. Meanwhile, attention turns to the upcoming elections at the end of the year, where Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, appointed as vice-president, could become Namibia's first female president if successful.
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