GABORONE, Botswana (AP) — Festus Mogae, who led Botswana for a decade and transformed the nation’s approach to combating HIV and AIDS, passed away Friday at age 86, according to government officials. Authorities did not release details about what caused his death.
Current President Duma Boko announced that Mogae’s decade-long presidency from 1998 to 2008 brought the African nation international recognition for responsible financial stewardship and democratic values. The country will observe three days of official mourning to honor the late leader.
The southern African nation, known for its sparse population and dry climate, leads the world in diamond production by value and ranks second globally by volume, trailing only Russia. Diamond exports represent approximately 80% of Botswana’s total exports and contribute one-fourth of the nation’s economic output, based on International Monetary Fund data.
During his presidency, Mogae elevated the battle against HIV/AIDS to a top government priority and established no-cost antiretroviral treatment programs at government healthcare centers starting in 2002, later expanding access to non-citizens in 2019.
These initiatives resulted in a substantial reduction in HIV/AIDS rates throughout Botswana, which previously ranked among nations with the world’s most severe infection levels.
Boko praised Mogae for representing Botswana honorably on the global stage while consistently advocating for rational thinking, national unity, and advancement.
“Today Botswana mourns a distinguished statesman, a patriot whose life was devoted to the service of his country,” Boko declared during his national address.
Mogae received the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, among Africa’s highest honors for governmental excellence, acknowledging his democratic governance and smooth transition of power.
The diamond-rich nation has discovered all of the world’s largest uncut diamonds during the past ten years, including a 2,492-carat gem found in the previous year that became the second-largest diamond ever extracted from a mine and the biggest discovery in over 100 years.
Before assuming the presidency, Mogae worked as an economist and held the position of central bank governor for the Bank of Botswana.
