WORLD LEADERS MOURN DEMISE OF KOFI ANNAN

World leaders have mourned former Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, who died on Saturday at the age of 80.

British Prime Minister, Theresa May described Annan’s death as sad.

“A great leader and reformer of the UN, he made a huge contribution to making the world he has left a better place than the one he was born into. My thoughts and condolences are with his family,” she said.
France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, said “Kofi Annan, former UN secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize, left this world overnight. France pays homage to him. We will never forget his calm and resolved gaze, nor the strength of his fights.”

Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi said “the world has lost not only a great African diplomat and humanitarian but also a conscience keeper of international peace and security”.

Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo has ordered flags be flown at half-mast across the country and in diplomatic missions across the world for seven days, starting on Monday.

Current UN chief Antonio Guterres voiced deep sadness at the news, describing his predecessor as “a guiding force for good. 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. Like so many, I was proud to call Kofi Annan a good friend and mentor,” he said.

The UN high commissioner for human rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said he was grief-stricken.

“Kofi was humanity’s best example, the epitome, of human decency and grace. In a world now filled with leaders who are anything but that, our loss, the world’s loss becomes even more painful. He was a friend to thousands and a leader of millions,” he said.

“There are some human beings who will seem irreplaceable to us, rare human beings. Kofi Annan is high among them. Goodbye my dear friend… goodbye Kofi.”

Dr. Ngozi Iweala, former Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, said she was shocked at Annan’s death.

“Kofi Annan, Africa’s foremost son and international diplomat, our tall Iroko tree has died. His many contributions to Humanitarian, Development and Governance issues will not be forgotten,” she said.

Nigeria’s Senate President, Bukola Saraki said “Kofi Annan was a ‘purposeful optimist’ who spoke for the voiceless, a diplomat who worked for peace in a tumultuous world, and a leader who dedicated his life to advocating for the liberty and freedom of all mankind. We shall miss him.”

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) said Annan was “an eminent and distinguished son of Africa”.

“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,” the ANC said in a statement.

“Amongst his many passions was silencing the guns on the African continent.”

Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez said that “today we lose a great humanist. Annan… has left us but his legacy remains to keep working for peace, security and to strengthen the defence of human rights.

NATO chief, Jens Stoltenberg said he was saddened to hear the news.

“His warmth should never be mistaken for weakness. Annan showed that one can be a great humanitarian and a strong leader at the same time,” Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter.

“The UN and the world have lost one of their giants.”

EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica said he was “profoundly saddened” by Annan’s death.

“He was such a great source of inspiration for all of us and will be greatly missed!” he tweeted

Also, Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari commiserated with the government and people of Ghana over the passing of former United Nations, Annan, in the early hours of Saturday.