Halonen to join funeral of Namibia’s Nujoma

Former President Tarja Halonen will represent Finland at the state funeral of the late President of Namibia Sam Nujoma from 28 February to 1 March in Windhoek, Namibia, said the President Office in a press release on Wednesday.

Namibia's founding President Sam Nujoma died aged 95 on February 8.

The funeral ceremonies will be over two days. Memorial Service will be held on Friday at the Independence Stadium. The Burial Service will take place at the Heroes’ Acre monument on Saturday.

Sam Nujoma served as the first President of the independent Republic of Namibia from 1990 to 2005.

In 2000, Halonen co-chaired the United Nations Millennium Summit with Nujoma.

Born on May 12, 1929, at Etunda village, Omusati Region, in northwestern Namibia, he was also a founding member of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), the party that has governed Namibia since its independence.