Online Reporter
“Today Botswana mourns a distinguished statesman and patriot whose life was devoted to the service of his country,” Boko announced, adding that Mogae died early on Friday.
The former president, who led Botswana from 1998 to 2008, had been in ill health for some time.
In a statement last month, the government said he was receiving medical care at a hospital in the capital, Gaborone, without disclosing the nature of his illness.
Mogae, the country’s thrid president, is widely credited with strengthening Botswana’s economic management and governance systems during a period of rapid growth driven by diamond revenues.
Before assuming the presidency, he held senior positions in government including finance minister and later vice-president.
He is also widely credited with steering Botswana’s response to the HIV/Aids epidemic. At the time, his country had one of the world’s worst infection rates, but an ambitious antiretroviral treatment programme significantly reduced infection and mortality rates.
Even after leaving office, he remained an advocate for HIV/Aids treatment in the region, pushing for free antiretroviral therapy and measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission. -BBC
