Kofi Annan. Source: The Elders

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South Africans Pay Tribute to Kofi Annan – “He Will Be Sorely Missed”

South Africans have paid tribute to former United Nations Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Kofi Annan, who passed away today following a short illness. The African National Congress (ANC) said it received the news with “profound sadness”. In a statement issued Saturday, the ANC said: An eminent and distinguished son of Africa, Mr. […]

By SAPeople
18-08-18 15:19
in Africa
Kofi Annan. Source: The Elders

South Africans have paid tribute to former United Nations Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Kofi Annan, who passed away today following a short illness.

Kofi Annan. Source: The Elders

The African National Congress (ANC) said it received the news with “profound sadness”. In a statement issued Saturday, the ANC said:

An eminent and distinguished son of Africa, Mr. Annan was a great friend of the people of South Africa who played an immeasurable role in shaping the global agenda in favour of the people of the developing South.

As the 7th United Nations Secretary General from 1996 to 2006, Mr. Annan painstackingly utilised his tenure to advance peace and sustainable development, while working determinedly to push back the frontiers of poverty and underdevelopment.

At the time of his passing, Mr. Annan formed part of the group of eminent persons, The Elders, whose stated mission was working together for peace and human rights. Amongst his many passions was silencing the guns on the African continent and delivering universal health coverage to all our people.

The ANC joins the people of the world in mourning the departure of this great statesman. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Annan family during this difficult period of grief.

Annan, who was a founding member of The Elders, succeeded Archbishop Desmond Tutu as Chair in May 2013. The Elders said today:

The Elders are shocked and deeply saddened at the passing of their dear friend and colleague Kofi Annan, who was the globally admired and respected Chair of The Elders…

He played a vital role in leading The Elders’ work, and was a voice of great authority and wisdom in public and private, most recently on visits to South Africa and Zimbabwe in July 2018.The Elders said:

The Nelson Mandela Fund said:

We are devastated to hear of the passing of former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan. On behalf of the Chairman of our Board of Trustees, the Board, our Chief Executive and the staff of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, we send our deepest condolences to his wife Nane and their children Ama, Kojo and Nina. We regarded him as a friend and he enjoyed a close relationship with Nelson Mandela over many years. In the foreword he wrote to MANDELA: THE AUTHORISED PORTRAIT, Mr Annan wrote: “Throughout the years of our friendship, Nelson Mandela has been a source of support and inspiration to me – both personally and as secretary-general.”

In the same text, Mr Annan recalled the speech Madiba gave to the United Nations General Assembly in 1998: “We had been chatting in a private room beforehand, and, as ever, he was making everyone around him feel completely relaxed through his unique mix of humour, warmth, informality and dignity.” The two leaders developed profound mutual respect as they worked together on numerous projects and interventions, including the Burundi Peace Process in the late 1990s and the early 2000s. Friendship blossomed from there…

Speaking of Mr Annan in 2002, Madiba called him a “courageous leader”. “Your vision,” he went on to say to him, “and ability to link the well-being of children and the security of the international community is a source of inspiration.” The Nelson Mandela Foundation mourns the loss of a friend and an advocate for peace and human rights. Africa and the world has lost a special human being. May he rest in peace.

The Economic Freedom Fighters said:

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Africa’s finest diplomat, former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan

May his soul rest in perfect peace #RIPKofiAnnan

The Democratic Alliance said:

It is with great sadness that we have learned today of the loss former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, one of the great African diplomats of our time.

The Nobel Peace Laureate and global statesman will be remembered for the decades of his life he committed to the UN, and for furthering the cause of peace throughout the world. As the first Secretary General from Sub-Saharan Africa, he brought a special commitment to the continent into the UN and worked tirelessly to bring stability to its nations.

As Chair of The Elders and close friend of Tata Nelson Mandela, he continued to promote the principles of justice, tolerance and friendship to all after stepping down from the UN.

His absence will be keenly felt, and we offer our deepest condolences to his wife and family. He will be sorely missed and greatly celebrated.

Annan away peacefully on Saturday 18th August after a short illness. His wife Nane and their children Ama, Kojo and Nina were by his side during his last days.