SWITZERLAND – Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has died at a hospital in the Swiss capital, Bern, after a brief illness.
The 80-year-old served as the seventh UN chief for almost 10 years from 1997 to 2006 and was awarded a Nobel Prize in 2001, which he shared with the UN.
A statement shared by his Twitter account on Saturday described Annan as a “global statesman and deeply committed internationalist”.
“During his distinguished career and leadership of the United Nations he was an ardent champion of peace, sustainable development, human rights and the rule of law,” the statement read.
“Kofi Annan was a son of Ghana and felt a special responsibility towards Africa,” it continued.
In July, Annan led a delegation from ‘The Elders’ ahead of the harmonised elections to meet with politicians and pledge support to Zimbabwe.
In a speech Annan gave at the Citizens Manifesto launch, he said:
“Rebuilding Zimbabwe will be the work of the Nation. A nation made up not just of politicians, but also of professionals, of traders and students and workers, a nation of men and women like you. Politics is too important to be left to the politicians. Democracy is about ensuring the constant participation and consultation of the people, and not just once every few years when their votes are needed.”
Current UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Annan was “a guiding force for good”.
“It is with profound sadness that I learned of his passing.
“In many ways, Kofi Annan was the United Nations. He rose through the ranks to lead the organisation into the new millennium with matchless dignity and determination.”
