Leaders around the world paid tribute to former United Nations Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kofi Annan, who died in hospital in Bern, Switzerland, in the early hours of Saturday aged 80.
Read more: Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan dies at age 80
UN SECRETARY GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES:
“In many ways, Kofi Annan was the United Nations. He rose through the ranks to lead the organization into the new millennium with matchless dignity and determination.”
Kofi Annan was a guiding force for good. I join the world in mourning his loss. In these turbulent and trying times, his legacy as a global champion for peace will remain a true inspiration for us all. https://t.co/psJ9viPIeu pic.twitter.com/SKfBk5zaY2
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 18, 2018
GHANAIAN PRESIDENT NANA AKUFO-ADDO:
“Consummate international diplomat and highly respected former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan was the first from sub-Saharan Africa to occupy this exalted position. He brought considerable renown to our country by this position and through his conduct and comportment in the global arena. He was an ardent believer in the capacity of the Ghanaian to chart his or her own course onto the path of progress and prosperity.”
I have directed that, in his honour, Ghana’s national flag will fly at half-mast across the country and in all of Ghana’s diplomatic missions across the world, from Monday, 20th August, 2018, for one week.
— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) August 18, 2018
Rest in perfect peace, Kofi. You have earned it. God bless. 7/7
CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU:
“Kofi Annan didn’t just talk about building a more just and peaceful world, he dedicated his life to doing it — and the world is a better place because of him.”
Please read my full statement: https://t.co/97LmeFGSf3
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 18, 2018
CANADIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER CHRYSTIA FREELAND:
A pillar of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, has died today. We remember his tireless commitment to multilateralism and the world order, his moral leadership and all his work towards making the world a better place.
— Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) August 18, 2018
FORMER CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER PAUL MARTIN:
“In today’s age, when many of the world’s leaders seem to think the national interest can prevail against the global interest, that was certainly not his view, it would not have been his view and he expressed it unequivocally.”
RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN:
“His personal contribution to building the UN’s peacekeeping potential, as well as in the settlement of a number of regional conflicts, was particularly significant. I sincerely admired his wisdom and courage, his ability to make balanced decisions even in the most difficult, critical situations.”
BILL AND MELINDA GATES:
Kofi Annan was one of the great peacemakers of our time. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him on many occasions. I’m sad to learn of his death. pic.twitter.com/VM9QJyzaT3
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) August 18, 2018
Kofi Annan believed in a peaceful and prosperous world for everyone, and he worked toward building it with quiet, forceful integrity. I will miss his wise partnership and his deep laugh. Let’s honor his legacy with optimism and determination. pic.twitter.com/i8EtUohYcD
— Melinda Gates (@melindagates) August 18, 2018
FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON:
“Kofi Annan was a truly great UN Secretary-General. It was an honor to work with him in his efforts to reform the UN, strengthen global health and peacekeeping, and reduce poverty. He made the fight against AIDS and the responsibility to protect civilians in conflict zones true priorities for the UN.”
NEW: Former Pres. Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton on the passing of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan: "It was an honor to work with him in his efforts to reform the UN, strengthen global health and peacekeeping, and reduce poverty." https://t.co/uTbAyOTz4K pic.twitter.com/ckHvdFImiX
— ABC News (@ABC) August 18, 2018
FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH:
“Kofi was a gentle man and a tireless leader of the United Nations. His voice of experience will be missed around the world.”
"Laura and I send our sympathies to Nane and the Annan family on the passing of Kofi Annan. Kofi was a gentle man and a tireless leader of the United Nations. His voice of experience will be missed around the world." --President George W. Bush
— George W. Bush Presidential Center (@TheBushCenter) August 18, 2018
FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:
“Kofi Annan was a diplomat and humanitarian who embodied the mission of the United Nations like few others. His integrity, persistence, optimism, and sense of our common humanity always informed his outreach to the community of nations. Long after he had broken barriers, Kofi never stopped his pursuit of a better world, and made time to motivate and inspire the next generation of leaders.”
Today, we reflect on the lesson Kofi Annan shared with us at the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa convening: that one is never too young to lead, or too old to learn. A leader since his youth, a learner till his passing, we mourn the loss of our friend. https://t.co/LOnY6hnlVi pic.twitter.com/t2IkqctNgi
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) August 18, 2018
THE ELDERS (group of global leaders):
“He played a vital role in leading The Elders’ work, and was a voice of great authority and wisdom in public and private. He was a constant advocate for human rights, development and the rule of law. Kofi Annan had a life-long commitment to the cause of peace and was known for his staunch opposition to military aggression, notably the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.”
We are shocked and deeply saddened at the passing of our dear friend, colleague and Chair, Kofi Annan. Statement: https://t.co/jldgJ40AnM pic.twitter.com/iuUXfVbpMj
— The Elders (@TheElders) August 18, 2018
FORMER U.S. VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN:
Kofi Annan knew that human beings acting together could make the world better. He dedicated his life to that belief. He insisted that defending human rights and dignity were part of our responsibilities to one another. We are all better for his influence on our world.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 18, 2018
NIGERIAN PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI:
“Annan’s humility, nobility and love for humanity set him apart for global greatness, achieving recognition and commendation for the reform of the United Nations’ bureaucracy and multiple interventions to bring peace to the world.”
SESAME STREET:
“A relentless champion for peace and a passionate ambassador for Sesame Street and the world’s children.”
We mourn the loss of Kofi Annan, a relentless champion for peace and a passionate ambassador for Sesame Street and the world’s children. pic.twitter.com/b0ovPdQ8I9
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) August 18, 2018
FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN BISHOP DESMOND TUTU:
“We give great thanks to God for Kofi Annan, an outstanding human being who represented our continent and the world with enormous graciousness, integrity and distinction.”
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS NIKKI HALEY:
“Kofi Annan devoted his life to making the world a more peaceful place through his compassion and dedication to service. He worked tirelessly to unite us and never stopped fighting for the dignity of every person.”
RT @USUN: We join the entire @UNand diplomatic community in celebrating his life and lifting the Annan family up in love and prayers. pic.twitter.com/UVMactnXYt
— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) August 18, 2018
GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL:
“Kofi Annan never gave up working for the good in the world. (He) knew how to get people engaged, and became a role model, especially for young people all over the world.”
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER THERESA MAY:
“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.”
Sad to hear of the death of Kofi Annan. 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. pic.twitter.com/P0SWagShJM
— Theresa May (@theresa_may) August 18, 2018
FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON:
“France pays tribute to him. We will never forget his calm and resolute approach to matters, nor the strength of his commitments.”
Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary general and Nobel Peace Prize, passed away last night. France pays tribute to the great man he was. We will never forget his calm and strong-willed look, nor the passion he gave for his fights.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 18, 2018
INDIAN PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI:
“We express our profound sorrow at the passing away of Nobel Laureate and former UNSG Mr. Kofi Annan. The world has lost not only a great African diplomat and humanitarian but also a conscience keeper of international peace and security.”
Mr. Kofi Annan’s significant contribution to the MDGs will always be remembered. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this hour of grief. May his soul rest in peace.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2018
UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF ZEID RA’AD AL-HUSSEIN:
"In a world now filled with leaders who are anything but that, our loss, the world’s loss, becomes even more painful.”
IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMMAD JAVAD ZARIF:
“A towering global leader and an unwavering champion for peace, justice and rule of law. Rest in peace my dear old friend.”
Extremely saddened by passing of Kofi Annan, a toweing global leader and an unwavering champion for peace, justice and rule of law. Rest in peace my dear old friend. pic.twitter.com/9yDzmWKgqf
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) August 18, 2018
ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTRY:
“A champion of Multilateral Diplomacy, a Nobel prize recipient and a world statesman who dedicated his public life to striving towards global peace and the alleviation of poverty and reducing child mortality. As UN Secretary General, he resisted the delegitimization of Israel. He fought actively against Holocaust denial and supported in 2006 the UN initiative on the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.”
Israel is saddened by the death of former Secretary General Kofi Annan, a world statesman who dedicated his public life to striving towards global peace and the alleviation of poverty and reducing child mortality, as well as combating antisemitism . @IsraelinUN @UN @IsraelMFA
— Emmanuel Nahshon (@EmmanuelNahshon) August 18, 2018
RAILA ODINGA, KENYAN OPPOSITION LEADER AND FORMER PRIME MINISTER:
“A great African, a great leader of the world. We here in Kenya remember him for the role that he played in presiding over the process of reconciliation following the crisis that followed the 2007 general elections. Kofi Annan was able to bring the different factions in our country together.”
My condolence message on the passing on of Dr @KofiAnnan. May he rest in eternal peace. https://t.co/pr8Or53C2A pic.twitter.com/3arXT1fSdl
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) August 18, 2018
FORMER GHANAIAN PRESIDENT JOHN MAHAMA:
“He lived and worked for global peace, security and sustainable development in very challenging times. A proud son of Ghana and Africa.”
He lived and worked for global peace, security and sustainable development in very challenging times. A proud son of Ghana and Africa.
— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) August 18, 2018
RIP Kofi Annan. pic.twitter.com/xevF6TZdOu
SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA:
Annan was “a great leader and diplomat extraordinaire” who had advanced the African agenda within the United Nations and had “flown the flag for peace” around the world.
The news of former United Nations Secretary General Mr. @KofiAnnan’s death comes as a great shock to us as we were with him only a few weeks ago when he visited South Africa. It is indeed a great loss to us and to the global community. pic.twitter.com/rNxr4ghNGf
— President Cyril Ramaphosa (@CyrilRamaphosa) August 18, 2018
CYPRUS PRESIDENCY
“Despite the fact that his efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, and the plan which bore his name were not met with success, his name has been linked to the issue of occupied Cyprus.”
With files from Canadian Press and the Associated Press.