African leader announced last month that he had begun treatment for cancer.

Geingob died on Sunday at Lady Pohamba Hospital in the capital Windhoek with his wife and his children at his side, acting president Nangolo Mbumba siad in a statement posted on Geingob’s official Facebook page.

“The Namibian nation has lost a distinguished servant of the people, a liberation struggle icon, the chief architect of our constitution and the pillar of the Namibian house,” Mbumba said.

“At this moment of deepest sorrow, I appeal to the nation to remain calm and collected while the Government attends to all necessary state arrangements, preparations and other protocols. Further announcements in this regard will be made.”

Geingob’s office announced last month that the African leader had begun treatment following the discovery of “cancerous cells” during a routine colonoscopy and a gastroscopy.

His office said at the time he would be travelling to the United States for medical care and would return to Namibia in February.

Geingob had a history of health problems that preceded his election as Namibia’s third president in 2014.

He underwent an aortic operation last year in neighbouring South Africa, and in 2014 he revealed that he had survived prostate cancer.

Namibia, a former German colony which achieved independence from South Africa in 1990, is scheduled to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in November.