Namibia’s President Hage Geingob will undergo cancer treatment following the discovery of “cancerous cells” during routine medical examinations.
Namibian Presidency said on Friday, January 19, that “as part of regular annual medical examinations” the 82-year-old leader had a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy on January 8, followed by a biopsy.
“On the advice of the medical team, President Geingob will undertake appropriate medical treatment to deal with the cancerous cells,” it added.
No additional information on Geingob’s diagnosis was provided by his office, but it was mentioned that he will continue his work.
Geingob, who has been in office as Namibia’s president since 2015, is set to complete his second and final term this year.
Geingob, in office as Namibia’s president since 2015, is set to complete his second and last term this year.
In 2013, Geingob had brain surgery, later disclosing his survival of prostate cancer in the following year. In 2023, the towering and deep-voiced leader underwent an aortic procedure in South Africa.
Namibia will hold elections to choose a new leader in November. Geingob will not be standing for re-election. Last year, the governing party, the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), named Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as its candidate for the election. She is the party’s vice-president and Namibia’s current deputy prime minister.
