Former Botswana President Festus Mogae Dies at 86

GABORONE, Botswana — Festus Mogae, Botswana's former president who prioritized the fight against HIV and AIDS during his decade in office from 1998 to 2008, has died at the age of 86, the government announced Friday. No cause of death was disclosed.

Current President Duma Boko declared three days of national mourning, with flags to fly at half-mast. In a national address, Boko praised Mogae's leadership for earning Botswana international respect through principled economic management and a commitment to democracy. "Today Botswana mourns a distinguished statesman, a patriot whose life was devoted to the service of his country," Boko said. He described Mogae as a voice of reason, unity and progress who carried the nation's name with dignity worldwide.

An economist by training who studied in Britain, Mogae served as governor of the Bank of Botswana and finance minister before becoming the country's third president, succeeding Ketumile Masire. He handed power peacefully to his deputy, Ian Khama, in 2008 after two five-year terms, reinforcing Botswana's reputation for political stability.

Mogae made combating HIV and AIDS a national priority at a time when Botswana faced one of the...