Namibia scotches reports that the VP is retiring

Namibia's presidency has dismissed reports that the country's Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba was planning to retire.

A local newspaper on Saturday quoted Mr Mbumba as saying his days in government were numbered and that he was not planning to seek any other state job.

Mr Mbumba also urged the young people to take charge of their own affairs and those of the country.

But the president's office said it would be "strange" for Mr Mbumba to announce his retirement plans at a public meeting, according to state-run NBC website.

It said the vice-president serves at the behest of the president.

Mr Mbumba, 81, was first appointed to the position in 2018 following the resignation of Nickey Iyambo, who retired for medical reasons.

In 2020 elections, President Hage Geingob retained Mr Mbumba as his deputy.

President Geingob is due to step down next year after serving two terms.

He has named Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the candidate for the ruling Swapo party in the 2024 elections.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Namibian presidency / Twitter