Former Botswana President Dies
Botswana officials have confirmed that former president, Sir Ketumile Masire, has died at the age of 91.
According to an official statement released by the Board of Trustees of the Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation, Masire passed away on Thursday evening at the Bokamoso Private Hospital in Gaborone.
Masire had been battling an unknown illness for quite some time, and was hospitalised last weekend. He remained in hospital in a critical condition until his death.
A spokesperson for the Botswana government praised Masire for his role in leading the country to economic stability after their independence.
Social media was flooded with praise for the former president, with many people applauding his leadership and humility.
“President Masire was the main architect of what may have been Africa’s most successful economic transition [sic],” one person wrote on Twitter.
Masire became President of Botswana in 1980, and was the country’s second president after Botswana gained their independence from Britain in 1966.
During his presidency, in 1994, Masire also served as the chairman of a panel that investigated the devastating genocide in Rwanda.
Prior to being elected, Masire played a crucial role in the independence movement.
Masire stepped down as president in 1998, and was succeeded by then vice-president, Festus Mogae.
After his presidency, Masire was involved in several diplomatic initiatives across Africa and consulted many African governments on issues ranging from economic growth to corruption and democracy.
