Statement of condolences: Sir Ketumile Masire

The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) joins the people of the Republic of Botswana and the rest of the sub-continent in mourning the passing on of former President Sir Quett Ketumile Joni Masire.

Sir Masire was a Pan-Africanist par excellence who contributed to the liberation of many African countries from the bondages of colonialism and apartheid.  Since his retirement in 1998 he was involved in numerous diplomatic and peace building initiatives to resolve conflicts across Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique Rwanda and Swaziland. These endeavours cemented his invaluable role as a broker of peace, which he continued to promote through the peace and good governance programme at the Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation. As a founding member of the Global Leadership Foundation, he was also a champion of democratic leadership, prevention and resolution of conflicts through mediation, and a fervent promoter of good governance through democratic institutions, human rights and the rule of law. Sir Masire was a man of the people, a servant leader always available to do duty for a better Africa even in his old age.

The IJR shares his values through its vision to build fair, democratic and inclusive societies in Africa. It is in this spirit that we convey our sincere condolences to his family, friends and the people of Botswana, while we pledge to continue working hard for a peaceful and prosperous Africa using the lessons we learnt from him.