Former Botswana president Ketumile Masire has died at the age of 91‚ his foundation said on Friday.
Masire‚ a key figure in Botswana's independence movement‚ passed away on Thursday night after being admitted to hospital last week.
Masire was due to celebrate his 92nd birthday on July 22.
"The Board of Trustees of the Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation (SKMF) and the Masire family wish to inform all friends and supporters of SKMF of the passing on of Rre. He died peacefully at Bokamoso Private Hospital surrounded by his family at 2210hrs on 22 June 2017‚" the foundation said in a statement.
"We thank well-wishers and friends from near and far‚ for their prayers‚ thoughts and comforting messages of support during this difficult time.
"Rest in Peace Sir Q."
A report on the SKMF website said Masire was in a critical condition when he was admitted to the intensive care unit at Bokamoso Hospital on June 18.
Masire was Botswana's second president and was hailed for his leadership after it gained independence from Britain.