President Hage Geingob on Sunday sent a message of condolences to the government and the people of Algeria following the passing of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Bouteflika died on Friday at the age of 84.

Bouteflika served as president of Algeria from 1999 to 2019, and also served as the president of the United Nations General Assembly during the 1974-1975 session.

In his message of condolences shared with the media, Geingob said when Bouteflika was president of the United Nations General Assembly, he played a crucial role in isolating apartheid South Africa, which was a pivotal diplomatic victory in Namibia’s fight for freedom.

“Our bonds of friendship have been forged during a difficult period in our struggle. As Africans, we owe president Bouteflika a debt of gratitude for the extraordinary role he played in the transformation of the Organisation of African Unity and the birth of the African Union, including the shaping of a prosperous Africa. On behalf of the Namibian people, I extend sincere condolences to the Bouteflika family and the fraternal people of Algeria,” Geingob said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency