Niël Terblanché
In a gesture of solidarity and respect, President Joe Biden has announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to attend President Hage Geingob’s State Funeral in Windhoek.
According to a statement released by the White House, the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, Deb Haaland, will lead the delegation, accompanied by Randy Berry, the Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Namibia; Enoh T. Ebong, Director of the United States Trade and Development Agency; Mala Adiga, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Policy and Projects for the First Lady; and Paula Tufro, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Development, Global Health, and Humanitarian Response at the National Security Council.
The international community has come together to mourn the passing of President Geingob with heartfelt condolences pouring in from world leaders, including China’s President Xi Jinping and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a message of condolence to Namibia’s newly sworn-in President Nangolo Mbumba, highlighted Geingob’s significant contributions to the China-Namibia comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation, emphasizing his role as an outstanding leader who not only bolstered the friendship between China and Namibia but also made notable contributions to Africa’s development.
President Xi stated that Geingob’s death was a great loss not only to the Namibian people but also to the Chinese, who consider him a good friend.
President Putin in his message of condolence said that he will forever preserve the memories of President Geingob.
“I had the opportunity to meet this wonderful man, and I will forever preserve the bright memory of him,” President Putin said in a telegram published on the Kremlin website.
Putin noted Geingob’s contribution to the establishment of the Namibian Constitution and added that it is difficult to overestimate his personal contribution to the development of friendly relations between Namibia and Russia.
It is not clear at this stage if these leaders will delegate emissaries to attend President Geingob’s funeral.
The outpouring of respect and admiration from world leaders emphasised the impactful legacy Geingob leaves behind, not just in Namibia but across the international community.
This collective homage to President Geingob illustrates the global impact of his leadership and the deep international relations he fostered.
The arrival of the U.S. delegation, along with tributes from global leaders, is a glowing testament to the world’s shared respect and admiration for President Geingob’s contributions to Namibia’s development and his unwavering commitment to justice and peace.
