Ex-Botswana president Ketumile Masire, aged 91

Botswana announced three days of mourning after the death of 91-year-old Ketumile Masire, a former president who led the country for nearly 20 years.

Mr Masire died “peacefully” and surrounded by family members at a hospital in the capital Gaborone, his family said in a statement. He had been critically ill.

Information about his funeral will be released in coming days, President Ian Khama said.

The president’s father, Seretse Khama, was Botswana’s first president after independence from Britain in 1966.

Mr Masire was Botswana’s second president from 1980 to 1998.

He presided over the southern African country’s economic growth and record of clean governance on continent often buffeted by turmoil.

Thediamondtradeandwildlifetourism are major sources of revenue for the country of two million people, which nevertheless faces poverty, a high HIV/ Aids rate and other problems.

In neighbouring South Africa, the Nelson Mandela Foundation cited comments by Mr Mandela, the antiapartheid leader who became South Africa’s first black president, at a state banquet for Mr Masire in 1996.

“Our country has much to learn from Botswana – both from your towering successes and your efforts to deal with the difficulties,” said Mr Mandela, adding that Mr Masire was “a natural and capable leader”. a

Mr Masire was Botswana’s president from 1980-1998.