Namibia: Hage Geingob sworn in as president

Namibia’s new leader Hage Geingob was on Saturday sworn in as president, three months after he was elected in a landslide victory.

Geingob marked his inauguration by pledging to tackle poverty among the vast desert nation’s 2.2 million population. “I am declaring war on poverty and inequality,” he said in front of a packed stadium in the capital Windhoek.

Geingob, leader of South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), won the November 2014 vote with 87 percent of the vote, to become Namibia’s third democratically elected leader. Namibia, gained independence from South Africa in 1990.

The ceremony was attended by several regional leaders including President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, President Ian Khama of Botswana and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya.

Geingob replaces Hifikepunye Pohamba, who had served the country as for 10 years. Before his election, Geingob served as Namibia’s prime minister.

Outgoing president Pohamba said he looked back with satisfaction because his government had achieved many of its national development goals during his term in office.

“There are still many socio-economic challenges facing our people, especially the youth, women and vulnerable sections of our population. Two of the most pressing are poverty and unemployment,” he said.

Source: AFP