Namibia’s President, Hage Geingob, has died in a hospital in Windhoek, the presidential office said in a statement.
A presidential release on Sunday confirmed his demise.
Geingob, who was serving his second term as president, revealed last month that he was receiving treatment for cancer.
“It is with utmost sadness and regret that I inform you that our beloved Dr. Hage G. Geingob, the President of the Republic of Namibia has passed on today,” a statement signed off by the acting president, Nangolo Mbumba, said.
Geingob had been in the US briefly for “treatment therapy” for cancerous cells but died late Saturday, a few days after his return to continue receiving treatment in Namibia.
He died at Lady Pohamba Hospital with his wife and his children by his side.
First elected president in 2014, Geingob was Namibia’s longest serving prime minister and third president.
In 2013, Geingob underwent brain surgery, and last year he underwent an aortic operation in neighbouring South Africa.
Namibia is to hold presidential and national assembly elections towards the end of the year.
He spent almost three decades in Botswana and the United States, leaving the former for the latter in 1964.
Namibia is to hold presidential and national assembly elections towards the end of the year.
AFP