Former Botswana president Festus Mogae, lauded for AIDS leadership, dies at 86
Festus Mogae, who led Botswana from 1998 to 2008 and turned diamond revenues into a model of African stability, has died aged 86. The first laureate of the Mo Ibrahim Prize, he was widely admired for his fight against HIV/AIDS.
The Botswana government announced that former president Festus Mogae had died in Gaborone after a long illness. President Duma Boko declared three days of national mourning.
Taking over from Sir Ketumile Masire in 1998, Mogae used disciplined macro policy, transparent management of diamond revenues and anti-corruption reforms to entrench Botswana's reputation as 'Africa's Switzerland'. He launched the country's free HIV treatment programme and was honoured by the United Nations for his AIDS work.
After handing power peacefully to Ian Khama in 2008, Mogae was named the first recipient of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for African Leadership in 2009. The pula nudged lower against the dollar; shares of the Anglo American Diamond Trading Company in Botswana ended the session flat. The central bank reiterated its commitment to the country's policy anchors.
More from Africa
BBC Footage Shows Russian Paramilitaries Carried Out Air Strikes in Mali as Rebels Advanced
Footage obtained by the BBC shows Russian paramilitaries conducting air strikes in northern Mali as Tuareg-led rebels advanced. Analysts call it some of the clearest evidence yet of Moscow's growing military footprint in the Sahel. Bamako has so far declined to comment.
Libya's Largest Oil Refinery Halts Operations Amid Fresh Fighting
Libya's largest oil refinery, in Zawiya, has halted operations after fresh armed clashes in the city. The shutdown threatens new domestic fuel shortages in a country still rebuilding its hydrocarbon sector. Oil traders are watching closely amid wider Mediterranean supply jitters.
Mali junta leader names himself defence minister after predecessor killed
Mali's military junta leader has assumed the role of defence minister after his predecessor, Sadio Camara, was killed in a major offensive by combined jihadist and separatist forces.