Namibia swears-in new Prez Nangolo Mbumba

Nangolo Mbumba has been inaugurated as Namibia’s new president just hours after announcing the death of his predecessor, Hage Geingob. Geingob, aged 82, passed away on Sunday while undergoing medical treatment for cancer in Windhoek.

Mbumba, who served as vice-president, paid tribute to Geingob as a “liberation icon” and assumed the role of president until the upcoming elections later this year. Geingob, a key figure in the country’s independence struggle, had been in political positions since Namibia gained independence in 1990.

Despite initial popularity, his presidency faced challenges such as a stagnant economy, corruption scandals, and declining public support. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, currently serving as vice-president, will be the first female president if she succeeds in the November elections.