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Who was Festus Mogae?

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Festus Mogae was an economist and politician who served as president of Botswana (1998–2008). He succeeded Quett Masire and served until he relinquished the presidency to Ian Khama.

Mogae entered the Development Planning (later the Finance and Development Planning) Ministry of newly independent Botswana in 1968, and became a key figure in the country’s remarkable rise to economic prosperity. Mogae left the country to work for the International Monetary Fund (1976–80) in Washington, D.C. After returning to Botswana, he held several positions before ascending to the presidency, including governor of the central bank of Botswana (1980–81), permanent secretary to President Masire (1982–89), minister of finance and development planning (1989–98), and vice president (1992–98).

During his time as president, he gained international recognition for acknowledging the HIV/AIDS epidemic and inviting international assistance to address it. In 2008, he was awarded the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership.