Festus Mogae, Botswana’s president from 1998 to 2008, has died at the age of 86 after leading the country through a period of economic growth and major HIV/AIDS intervention programmes.

Botswana’s former president Festus Mogae, who led the diamond-rich nation for a decade ‌and won praise for good governance and the fight against HIV/AIDS, has died at the age of 86, the government said, declaring three days of national mourning.

Mogae served as ⁠Botswana’s third president from 1998 to 2008, handing power to his vice president, Ian Khama , in a smooth transition that highlighted the southern African nation’s reputation for political stability.

An economist by training, Mogae was credited with the successful management of Botswana’s economy. He tackled HIV/AIDS openly at a ‌time ⁠when Botswana faced one of the world’s highest infection rates, and adopted one of the African continent’s most comprehensive programmes against it.

Born in Serowe on 21 August ⁠1939, Mogae studied in Britain before joining Botswana’s civil service shortly after independence in 1966. He served ⁠as finance minister and vice president before becoming president.

Mogae stepped down after the maximum ⁠of two terms allowed by the constitution.

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