Finland’s former president, Martti Ahtisaari, has died at age 86.

Known as a global peace broker, Ahtisaari was awarded the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize for his work to resolve international conflicts.

In a statement, the foundation he created CMI-Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation, said it was “deeply saddened by the loss of its founder.”

The foundation, which Ahtisaari created for preventing and resolving violent conflicts, announced his death.

It was disclosed in 2021 that Ahtisaari had advanced Alzheimer’s disease.

Ahtisaari assisted in reaching peace accords related to Namibia’s bid for independence in the 1980s; Serbia’s withdrawal from Kosovo in the late 1990s; and autonomy for Aceh province in Indonesia in 2005.