Kofi Annan, former UN secretary general, passes away at the age of 80
The former United Nations secretary general, Kofi Annan, passed away at the age of 80 after a short illness, as announced by his family and foundation. He died in a hospital in Bern, Switzerland, with his wife, Nane, and three children Ama, Kojo and Nina, by his side. After retirement he moved to Geneva and later lived in a Swiss village.
The announcement of his demise was made in a tweet by the Kofi Annan Foundation, writing, “It is with immense sadness that the Annan family and the Kofi Annan Foundation announce that Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Laureate, passed away peacefully on Saturday 18th August after a short illness.”
It is with immense sadness that the Annan family and the Kofi Annan Foundation announce that Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Laureate, passed away peacefully on Saturday 18th August after a short illness… pic.twitter.com/42nGOxmcPZ
— Kofi Annan (@KofiAnnan) August 18, 2018
The Ghanaian national, Kofi Annan, was the first black African to assume the office of world’s top diplomat. He was the seventh secretary general of the UN, who served for the two terms as secretary-general from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2006. He later also served as the UN special envoy for conflict-ridden Syria.
In 2001, Kofi Annan and the UN were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. His death is being mourned all across the globe.
"Kofi 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." @antonioguterres on passing of former SG @KofiAnnan @UN Full statement here https://t.co/TS3GNnXzvM
— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) August 18, 2018
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
“To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there.”—Kofi Annan (8 April 1938–18 August 2018) RIP #KofiAnnan pic.twitter.com/REYPqtai1G
— Abhay K. (@theabhayk) August 18, 2018
Deeply shocked to learn of the passing of my friend & mentor #KofiAnnan. The last time we spoke he had accepted my invitation to come to Kerala in 2022 to celebrate his "thousand moons". He was so fit I had no doubt he would go on well past that date. I have lost an elder brother
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 18, 2018
Today, the world’s most celebrated secretary-general of the United Nations and a symbol of African strength who led with an exemplary understanding of humanity and international relations, #KofiAnnan has passed away. May his soul rest in eternal peace. pic.twitter.com/17pJbwWCOg
— Indian Youth Congress (@IYC) August 18, 2018
We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our former Secretary-General #KofiAnnan.
Kofi Annan served the #UN for two terms from 1997 to 2006. #kofiannan #unitednations pic.twitter.com/6KfCzGZEDx— United Nations Iran (@UN_Iran) August 18, 2018
