Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-02-26 08:28:52
Namibian President Hage Geingob was laid to rest in the country’s Heroes’ Acre cemetery on Sunday after a state funeral attended by various dignitaries, including African leaders, the German president, and Princess Anne, the sister of Britain’s King Charles III.
Geingob, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 82 while undergoing cancer treatment, was Namibia’s third president since the country gained independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. Prior to independence, Namibia was a German colony.
During the memorial service, Geingob’s widow, Monica Geingos, spoke about her husband’s remarkable journey from humble beginnings in rural Namibia to becoming the nation’s leader and a highly respected figure across the African continent. She fondly remembered him by saying, “You were born a peasant and died a president.”
At the funeral, Geingob’s coffin was draped in the Namibian flag and transported in a glass case on a military trailer. Representatives from 27 countries, including Princess Anne, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Qatar President Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and 18 other heads of state, attended the funeral. Leaders from South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe were also present.
During the memorial service, President Steinmeier expressed Germany’s intention to formally apologize to the people of Namibia for the atrocities committed during the 1904-1908 genocide, where tens of thousands of Herero and Nama people were killed by German forces. Geingob had been an advocate for reparations for the affected communities, and although an offer of $1.1 billion in development funds was made by the German government in 2021, it was rejected by Namibia’s Parliament and the communities affected.
Steinmeier emphasized the importance of reconciliation and taking responsibility for the past to build a better future. Geingob’s final resting place will be among the mausoleums at Heroes’ Acre reserved for Namibians who are honored with national hero status.
Geingob played a significant role in shaping Namibia into one of Africa’s most stable democracies, having returned from exile in Botswana and the United States as an anti-apartheid activist. Namibia’s independence marked the end of over a century of German and apartheid South African rule.
Having served as president since 2015, Geingob was in his second and final term when he passed away. His deputy, Vice President Nangolo Mbumba, was sworn in as acting president to complete the remaining term. Namibia is scheduled to hold elections for a new president in November.
President Geingob’s legacy as a leader who championed democracy and reconciliation will continue to be remembered by the people of Namibia and beyond. His commitment to justice, peace, and progress has left a lasting impact on the nation and serves as an inspiration for future generations.
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