Namibia's 82-year-old President Hage Geingob has been diagnosed with cancer following a recent medical check-up and is scheduled to undergo treatment, the president's office revealed on Friday.
While specific details of his condition were not disclosed, the presidency assured the public that President Geingob would persist in fulfilling his presidential responsibilities.
This announcement comes at a pivotal time for Namibia as the country prepares for presidential and parliamentary elections in late 2024.
"With Presidential and National Assembly elections programmed for the end of the year 2024, The Presidency wishes to inform the Namibian public that President Geingob will continue to carry out presidential duties, alongside the Cabinet, of which he is the Chairperson," the president's office said in a statement.
According to the presidency's statement, President Geingob's cancer diagnosis was made during routine annual medical check-ups, which led to a recommendation for a colonoscopy and gastroscopy on January 8.
Subsequent biopsy results confirmed the presence of cancerous cells, prompting President Geingob's decision to seek appropriate medical treatment as advised by his medical team.
President Geingob, currently in his second term, was initially elected as president in 2014 after serving as the country's prime minister for a record 12 years.