Botswana: Former president Ketumile Masire dies at 91

Botswana’s former president Sir Ketumile Masire, the southern African country’s 2nd post-independence leader and who led efforts to bring peace to neighboring Mozambique, has died aged 91, an aide said on Friday.

The former president passed away in a hospital in Botswana’s capital Gaborone late on Thursday, according to his senior private secretary Fraser Tlhoiwe.
“He died peacefully at Bokamoso hospital surrounded by his family at 10:10 pm local time (4:10 pm EDT) on 22 June 2017. We thank well-wishers and friends from near and far, for their prayers, thoughts and comforting messages of support during this difficult time,” Tlhoiwe said in a statement.

Masire was hospitalized for surgery on June 16 according to his family and despite being admitted to intensive care was thought to be in a stable condition.

Elder statesman

Masire led Botswana from July 1980 until he stepped down March 1998, having overseen a period of unprecedented economic growth. He is largely credited with being the architect of Botswana’s famed economic stability.

As well as mediating to end violence in Mozambique, Masire also helped to resolve political crises in Kenya and Lesotho after leaving office, in his role as one of Africa’s most respected elder statesman. He was also the chair of the International Panel of Eminent Personalities investigating the circumstances of the 1994 Rwanda genocide.

He founded the Ketumile Masire Foundation in 2007 to promote the social and economic wellbeing of the Botswanans.

Masire was born on July 23, 1925 in a small village Kanye, southwest of Botswana’s capital, Gaborone. He was knighted in 1991.

Botswana is one of Africa’s most stable countries, that has continued to enjoy rapid economic growth.

Source: AFP