Namibia’s Interim President Confirms No Plans to Run in Upcoming Election, Reports Reuters

By Nyasha Nyaungwa

WINDHOEK – Nangolo Mbumba has assumed the role of interim president of Namibia following the death of Hage Geingob, who passed away due to cancer. Mbumba, who took office on Sunday, has confirmed that he does not intend to run in the upcoming elections scheduled for later this year.

This opens the door for Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is set to replace Mbumba as vice president and was nominated by the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) as its candidate last year. If elected, Nandi-Ndaitwah will become the first female president in the history of Namibia.

"I am not going to be around for the elections, so there’s no need to worry," Mbumba stated, highlighting a contrast with many African leaders who often strive to cling to power. He expressed gratitude to the Namibian people for the opportunity to serve as president, albeit for a brief period, emphasizing his previous ambition of becoming a school principal, which he accomplished.

According to SWAPO’s constitution, changes to the presidential candidate cannot be made after the nomination has taken place two years prior to the election. Since gaining independence from South Africa in 1990, SWAPO has maintained its governance over Namibia, a country rich in mineral resources such as diamonds, uranium, and lithium, essential for electric vehicle batteries.

Geingob, who held the presidency since 2015, died at the age of 82. Mbumba commended Geingob’s legacy and denounced the loss, stating, "It is poignant and reassuring to note that even in this time of heavy loss, our nation remains calm and stable due to the visionary leadership of President Geingob, who was the chief architect of the Namibian constitution."

Under Geingob’s leadership, Namibia has been striving to enhance its economic growth beyond 3% following a pandemic-induced downturn and to address racial inequalities stemming from its colonial past. He also positioned Namibia as a frontrunner in the global green economy, notably becoming the first African nation to agree to supply green hydrogen and crucial minerals to the European Union.

In a significant move towards sustainability, Namibia started constructing Africa’s first decarbonized iron plant powered entirely by green hydrogen, forged from renewable energy through electrolysis. This initiative marks a significant step in reforming the steel industry, known for its environmental impact.

These advancements have positioned Namibia ahead of South Africa in the race for a green energy transition, as the latter’s efforts have experienced setbacks.