In honoring the late leader, Kagame acknowledged Geingob as a champion of Pan-Africanism, whose legacy is destined to endure for generations. Geingob had been at the helm of the sparsely populated and predominantly arid southern African nation since 2015, the same year he announced his successful battle against prostate cancer.

In a heartfelt message posted on X, formerly Twitter, Kagame conveyed his deepest sympathies, saying, "My deepest condolences to my sister Monica Geingos, the entire family, and the people of Namibia for the passing of my brother and friend President Hage Geingob."

The Rwandan President went on to highlight Geingob’s pivotal role during Namibia’s liberation struggle, his unwavering dedication to serving his people, and his commitment to a unified Africa.

Kagame emphasized that these contributions would be eternally etched in the memories of future generations.

Born in 1941, Geingob had already established himself as a prominent politician before Namibia gained independence from the white minority-ruled South Africa in 1990. He chaired the committee responsible for drafting Namibia’s constitution and subsequently became its first prime minister upon independence on March 21 of that year—a position he held until 2002.

In 2007, Geingob assumed the role of vice president of the governing South West Africa People’s Organization (Swapo), an organization he had joined as an advocate for independence during Namibia’s tenure as South West Africa.

Born in 1941, Geingob had already established himself as a prominent politician before Namibia gained independence from the white minority-ruled South Africa in 1990.