The former president of Mali, Moussa Traoré, has died at home in the capital, Bamako.
He died at the age of 83.
Traoré took power in a coup in 1968 and remained president until he was ousted by the military in 1991.
He has played the role of elder statesman in recent years, advising the younger generation of Malian politicians.
His death coincides with Mali’s fourth coup since independence.
Last month army officers overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita following weeks of opposition protests.
BBC