Former Finnish President Ahtisaari Dies at Age 86

Martti Ahtisaari, a former president of Finland and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, passed away in Helsinki on Monday at the age of 86 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, the president’s office announced.

The current leader, Sauli Niinisto, released a statement saying, “It is with great sadness that we have learned of President Martti Ahtisaari’s passing.

The mediator, who served as president from 1994 to 2000, was recognized internationally and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008 for his efforts in resolving conflicts all over the world, including those in Indonesia, Kosovo, and Namibia. His illustrious career spanned more than 40 years.

The Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels and the Indonesian government reconciled in 2005, ending a three-decade conflict that claimed the lives of about 15,000 people. The former UN diplomat is credited with facilitating this reconciliation.

The two parties characterized Ahtisaari as steely during the negotiations but warm and funny off-the-cuff.

“I have enormous amounts of patience. I don’t usually get angry, but I can be tough,” he later said, adding that he felt the key to his success was an ability to understand people.

Despite his arduous efforts to reach a deal with Serbia prior to Pristina unilaterally declaring independence in 2008, Ahtisaari also assisted Kosovo in moving in the direction of independence.

As his Alzheimer’s disease progressed, Ahtisaari withdrew from public life in September 2021.

AFP.