Namibia mourns
Mbumba inaugurated as new president
Namibia mourns the loss of its third president, Dr. Hage Geingob, who died yesterday at the age of 82.
President Hage Geingob, who played a key role during Namibia's liberation struggle as well as the establishment of the country's first Constitution, died on Sunday morning.He was known for repeatedly calling for unity among Africans and to strengthen their commitment to pan-Africanism.
He was also an advocate for democratically elected governments and would constantly speak out against coups on the continent.
"It is with great sadness that I inform you our beloved Dr Hage G. Geingob, the president of the Republic of Namibia, died on Sunday 4 February 2024 at 00:04 at the Lady Pohamba Private Hospital where he received treatment. By his side were his wife, Monica Geingos, and his children," Nangolo Mbumba, who was inaugurated as the fourth president of Namibia yesterday afternoon, said in a media statement early yesterday morning.
"His medical team did their utmost to ensure that our president recovered after being admitted to the intensive care unit. Unfortunately, President Geingob died despite the team's valiant effort to save his life. The Namibian nation has lost a distinguished servant of the people, an icon of the liberation struggle, the chief architect of our Constitution and the pillar of the Namibian house," he said.
New president
Just after 15:00 on Sunday, Chief Justice Peter Shivute swore in Mbumba as the fourth president of Namibia and shortly afterwards Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as the country's new vice president.
"I humbly accept the noble assignment that has been given to me - the appointment as president of Namibia in terms of article 29 read together with article 34 of the Namibian Constitution," Mbumba said after his inauguration.
"I take on this heavy mantle, and am aware of the weight of this responsibility to serve all the people of Namibia with the utmost dedication. I undertake to serve all citizens of the Namibian home in the land of the brave, to continue building the excellent foundation laid by our founding president Sam Nujoma, as well as former president Hifikepunye Pohamba and our beloved now late president Hage Geingob was laid," he said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said it was an honour to be sworn in.
"It is with a sense of responsibility that I accepted the appointment to serve as the vice president. I would like to thank Nangolo Mbumba for the trust he has placed in me to work with him as we carry out our national responsibility as enshrined in our Constitution. I have just taken the oath and I will not add much other than to assure the people of Namibia that I will carry out this responsibility to the best of my ability, as clearly set out in my letter of appointment, which gives me specific instructions which is not negotiable."