US oldest President, Jimmy Carter dies at 100 years, World leaders mourn

By Austin Ogwuda

Former United States of America President, Jimmy Carter is dead.

He was the longest living American President who celebrated his 100th birthday last October.

The Carter Center, which advocates for democracy and human rights around the world, said he died on Sunday afternoon at his home in Plains, Georgia.

The Democrat served as president from 1977 to 1981, a period beset by economic and diplomatic crises.

Biden, other world leaders mourn

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said the world had “lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian.

“A dear friend, a man of principle, faith and humility, he showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.”

“The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans”.

*President-elect Donald Trump wrote on social media:
“We all owe him a debt of gratitude”.

Carter’s presidency will be remembered for his struggles in dealing with acute economic problems and several foreign policy challenges, including the Iran hostage crisis, which ended with the deaths of eight Americans.

There was, however, a notable foreign policy triumph in the Middle East when he helped broker an accord between Egypt and Israel, signed at Camp David in the US in 1978.