In 2001, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, and even though he had earned a five-year term (he had himself agitated to legally enlarge the presidential term) had to resign on August 7, 2001.
År 2001 diagnostiserades han med lungcancer, och trots att han hade vunnit ett val som gav honom en mandatperiod på fem år, så avsade han sig presidentskapet den 7 augusti 2001.