Former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae, has died at the age of 86, President Duma Boko announced on Friday.
“Today Botswana mourns a distinguished statesman and patriot whose life was devoted to the service of his country,” Boko said in a statement confirming that Mogae died early Friday morning.
Mogae, who served as Botswana’s third president from 1998 to 2008, had reportedly been in ill health for some time. The government disclosed last month that he was receiving medical treatment at a hospital in the capital, Gaborone, though details of his illness were not made public.
During his decade in office, Mogae earned praise for strengthening Botswana’s economy and governance, particularly during a period of rapid growth fuelled by diamond revenues.
Before becoming president, he held several key government positions, including Minister of Finance and later Vice-President.
Mogae was also recognised for leading Botswana’s response to the HIV/AIDS crisis at a time when the country had one of the highest infection rates in the world. His administration introduced an ambitious antiretroviral treatment programme that significantly reduced infections and deaths linked to the disease.
Even after leaving office, he remained active in promoting access to HIV/AIDS treatment across Africa, advocating free antiretroviral therapy and programmes to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
The former president later participated in various peace mediation and advisory roles across the continent.
In 2008, Mogae received the prestigious Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership in recognition of his democratic leadership and peaceful transfer of power.
He was succeeded in office by Ian Khama.
Botswana has long been regarded as one of Africa’s most politically stable nations, maintaining regular multi-party elections since gaining independence in 1966.
