Jimmy Carter, Architect of Egypt-Israel Peace, Dies at 100 

Jimmy Carter, the former US president who brokered a historic peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, died Sunday in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.

Carter’s presidency, from 1977 to 1981, was marked by his commitment to human rights and diplomacy. His most enduring legacy came in 1978 with the Camp David Accords, a landmark agreement that ended decades of hostilities between Egypt and Israel and established a framework for lasting peace.

A peanut farmer turned politician, Carter also created the Department of Energy in 1977, transferred control of the Panama Canal to Panama, and expanded US public lands in Alaska. He was instrumental in formalising diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China.

After leaving the White House, Carter and his wife, Rosalynn (died in 2023), founded The Carter Center, an institution dedicated to advancing democracy, monitoring elections, and improving global health. The Center’s work earned the former president a reputation as a tireless advocate for peace and humanitarian causes.

“He never forgot the people here, regardless of what position he held,” said Boze Godwin, a former mayor of Plains and a lifelong friend of Carter. Speaking to CNN on Sunday, Godwin described Carter as “very honest, very straightforward, and hard-working,” adding that the former president always felt like “one of us” after returning to Plains.

Carter’s post-presidency was one of the most active in US history. He advised and collaborated with his successors on diplomatic efforts while occasionally voicing criticism when he felt it was justified.

His influence extended across seven administrations, highlighting his stature as a global statesman.

In February 2023, Carter announced he was ending medical treatment and entering hospice care. His passing closes a chapter on a life defined by public service, marked by major achievements in both domestic policy and international diplomacy.

ligadwah@businessdayafrica.org