Kofi Annan, one of the world’s most celebrated diplomats and a charismatic symbol of the United Nations who rose through its ranks to become the first black African secretary-general, has died. He was 80.
His foundation announced his death in Switzerland on Saturday in a tweet, saying that he died after a short unspecified illness.
“Wherever there was suffering or need, he reached out and touched many people with his deep compassion and empathy,” the foundation said in a statement.
Annan spent virtually his entire career as an administrator in the United Nations. His aristocratic style, cool-tempered elegance and political savvy helped guide his ascent to become its seventh secretary-general, and the first hired from within.
He served two terms from January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2006, capped nearly mid-way when he and the UN were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001.
When he departed from the United Nations, he left behind a global organisation far more aggressively engaged in peacekeeping and fighting poverty, setting the framework for the UN’s 21st-century response to mass atrocities and its emphasis on human rights and development.
The diplomat, who was originally from Ghana, had been living in Geneva for several years before his death.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Price in 2001 for helping to revitalise the international body, during a period that coincided with the Iraq War and the HIV/Aids pandemic.
Kofi Annan described his greatest achievement as the Millennium Development Goals which – for the first time – set global targets on issues such as poverty and child mortality.
However, Mr Annan was not immune to criticism. His critics blamed him for the UN’s failure to halt the genocide in Rwanda in the 1990s when he was head of the organisation’s peacekeeping operations.
Later, after the US-led invasion of Iraq, he and his son were accused of being involved in the “oil for food scandal” that led some to call for his resignation, though he was later exonerated.
Kofi Atta Annan was born April 8, 1938, into an elite family in Kumasi, Ghana, the son of a provincial governor and grandson of two tribal chiefs.
He shared his middle name Atta — “twin” in Ghana’s Akan language — with a twin sister, Efua. He became fluent in English, French and several African languages, attending an elite boarding school and the University of Science and Technology in Kumasi. He finished his undergraduate work in economics at Macalester College in St Paul, Minnesota, in 1961. From there he went to Geneva, where he began his graduate studies in international affairs and launched his UN career.
Annan married Titi Alakija, a Nigerian woman, in 1965, and they had a daughter, Ama, and a son, Kojo. He returned to the US in 1971 and earned a master’s degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management. The couple separated during the 1970s and, while working in Geneva, Annan met his second wife, Swedish lawyer Nane Lagergren. They married in 1984.
Annan worked for the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Ethiopia, its Emergency Force in Egypt, and the office of the High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva, before taking a series of senior posts at UN headquarters in New York dealing with human resources, budget, finance, and staff security.
He also had special assignments. After Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, he facilitated the repatriation from Iraq of more than 900 international staff and other non-Iraqi nationals, and the release of western hostages in Iraq. He led the initial negotiations with Iraq for the sale of oil in exchange for humanitarian relief.
Just before becoming secretary-general, Annan served as UN peacekeeping chief and as special envoy to the former Yugoslavia, where he oversaw a transition in Bosnia from UN protective forces to NATO-led troops.
The UN peacekeeping operation faced two of its greatest failures during his tenure: the Rwanda genocide in 1994, and the massacre in the Bosnian town of Srebrenica in July 1995.
In both cases, the UN had deployed troops under Annan’s command, but they failed to save the lives of the civilians they were mandated to protect. Annan offered apologies, but ignored calls to resign by US Republican lawmakers. After became secretary-general, he called for UN reports on those two debacles — and they were highly critical of his management.
As secretary-general, Annan forged his experiences into a doctrine called the “Responsibility to Protect,” that countries accepted — at least in principle — to head off genocide, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and war crimes.
Annan sought to strengthen the UN’s management, coherence and accountability, efforts that required huge investments in training and technology, a new whistleblower policy and financial disclosure requirements.
In 1998, he helped ease a transition to civilian rule in Nigeria and visited Iraq to try to resolve its impasse with the Security Council over compliance with weapons inspections and other matters. The effort helped avoid an outbreak of hostilities that seemed imminent at the time.
In 1999, he was deeply involved in the process by which East Timor gained independence from Indonesia, and started the “Global Compact” initiative that has grown into the world’s largest effort to promote corporate social responsibility.
Annan was chief architect of what became known as the Millennium Development Goals, and played a central role in creating the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the UN’s first counter-terrorism strategy.
Annan’s uncontested election to a second term was unprecedented, reflecting the overwhelming support he enjoyed from both rich and poor countries. Timothy Wirth, president of the United Nations Foundation, which disburses Ted Turner’s $1bn pledge to UN causes, hailed “a saint-like sense about him.”
In 2005, Annan succeeded in establishing the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council. But that year, the UN was facing almost daily attacks over allegations about corruption in the UN oil-for-food programme in Iraq, bribery by UN purchasing officials and widespread sex abuse by U.N. peacekeepers — an issue that would only balloon in importance after he left office.
It emerged that Annan’s son, Kojo, had not disclosed payments he received from his employer, which had a $10 million-a-year contract to monitor humanitarian aid under the oil-for-food program. The company paid at least $300 000 to Kojo so he would not work for competitors after he left.
An independent report criticised the secretary-general for being too complacent, saying he should have done more to investigate matters even if he was not involved with the awarding of the contract.
World leaders agreed to create an internal UN ethics office, but a major overhaul of the UN’s outdated management practices and operating procedures was left to Annan’s successor, Ban Ki-moon.
Before leaving office, Annan helped secure a truce between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006, and mediated a settlement of a dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria over the Bakassi peninsula.
At a farewell news conference, Annan listed as top achievements the promotion of human rights, the fighting to close the gap between extreme poverty and immense wealth, and the UN campaign to fight infectious diseases like AIDS.
He never took disappointments and setbacks personally. And he kept his view that diplomacy should take place in private and not in the public forum.
In his memoir, Annan recognized the costs of taking on the world’s top diplomatic job, joking that “SG,” for secretary-general, also signified “scapegoat” around UN headquarters.
Former US ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke called Annan “an international rock star of diplomacy.”
After leaving his high-profile UN perch, Annan didn’t let up. In 2007, his Geneva-based foundation was created. That year he helped broker peace in Kenya, where election violence had killed over 1 000 people.
He also joined “The Elders,” an elite group of former leaders founded by Nelson Mandela, eventually succeeding Desmond Tutu as its chairman after a failed interlude trying to resolve Syria’s rising civil war.
As special envoy to Syria in 2012, Annan won international backing for a six-point plan for peace. The UN deployed a 300-member observer force to monitor a cease-fire, but peace never took hold and Annan was unable to surmount the bitter stalemate among Security Council powers. He resigned in frustration seven months into the job, as the civil war raged on.
Annan continued to crisscross the globe. In 2017, his foundation’s biggest projects included promotion of fair, peaceful elections; work with Myanmar’s government to improve life in troubled Rakhine state; and battling violent extremism by enlisting young people to help.
He also remained a vocal commentator on troubles like the refugee crisis; promoted good governance, anti-corruption measures and sustainable agriculture in Africa; and pushed efforts in the fight against illegal drug trafficking.
Annan retained connections to many international organizations. He was chancellor of the University of Ghana, a fellow at New York’s Columbia University, and professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore.
In his memoir, Annan recognised the costs of taking on the world’s top diplomatic job, joking that “SG,” for secretary-general, also signified “scapegoat” around UN headquarters.
Annan is survived by his wife and three children. Funeral arrangement weren’t immediately announced.
Source: CNN, News24,BBC,
“HH WILL DIE A BITTER MAN” says Tayali. MHSRIP
Good run Koffi
I liked the man. May soul rest in peace. Great man he was indeed.
I can’t imagine any Zambian who can be UN secretary General, not even Edgar after retirement or Inonge.
Give me one please.
Mozambique have Chissano
Ghana still can send more than 3, one of them is Jerry Rawlings.
Namibia is they have 3
Botswana , yes they have 4
DRC- NOTHING
Zimbabwe- NOTHING
Zambia – NOTHING
He should go to hell where Chiluba is. His children were corrupt so was he. RB, Lungu and their minions will also go the same way, in a single file.
@ Nostradamus why do you look down on yourself? And @ Analyzer you’re not God to determine the destination of people.
I was stationed with the 5th light infantry division under the direct command of UNAMIR’s Col. Dallaire outside the capital in Gasabo. Will never forget how so many poor souls could’ve been helped, so many people who were left to die just because the command never allowed UNAMIR to directly intervene to rescue victims. And who are directly to blame for this? Bill Clinton and Koffi Annan. I think God will judge Koffi accordingly as for Bill his time will come to.
HH can go, no problem. Zambia can be more peaceful. Only he needs Jesus before he goes away. Sad news for Kofi. Condolences to the family.
Animo Farm still has the Laughing Gas! Maybe passing gas. Really gassable.
If Gay Jay Hakainde Mentally-Disabled had talked to CNN like he talked to Common Health and Harm Nests it was a big deal for Hatribes not knowing that he was being cooked for something. People laugh at Africans because a simple thing like someone telling CNN to make a correction, someone because of his TRIBAL bias is incensed by that and wants to pull the man down? I am glad Zambia will not let CHILDISH to be elected. He represents a COALITION OF THE WICKED & TRIBALS.
Rest In Peace, Kofi … Rest In Peace!!!
Correction though … he was not the first African Secretary General of the UN, Boutrose Boutrose-Ghali whom he took over from was from Egypt.
Unless CNN does not know or no longer considers Egypt part of Africa anymore.
Maybe its because they (Egyptians) want to be referred to as Arabs and not African!
First sub Saharan iwe chikupo mumba. Does everything have to be given to you on silver plate. It seems since you deserted mmd and became a pf bootlicker you have lost your marbles
Statement says first BLACK-African Secretary General.
Brousse-Ghali is not black.
@The Observer … Axiomatic but it’s important to mention that, my other blog is being moderated so you will see my answer once the moderator approves
@Nostra … I have already talked to CNN and they have already removed the entire “First African or Black African” tab. Search the original article and you will see what I mean. I could not reach the BBC correspondence office in New York though, just left a message there but their reporting has now added “black African” to the original thread.
Check them out … you will notice those changes.
Now JUNIOR claims he has CNN Newsroom on his phone speed dial…really pathetic…just admit you are wrong and thank him for the correction!!
Gay Gay … can you at least acknowledge the changes after my calls to these news organizations? By the way, you can improve certain things but you can not anything about your IQ. Your other comment the other day made a lot of sense unlike in the past.
That does not mean that your IQ has improved, it just means that you are now using a little more of your faculties; even monkeys can come up with some great trips every now and then. Have a great weekend, mate!!!
Egyptians don’t consider themselves africans if you didn’t know, they say they are Arabs not africans
Yes, I can acknowledge that someone called B R Mumba JR called CNN Newsroom in Atlanta and instructed the Editor to immediately correct the error…really laughable….this chap is full to the rafters with himself.
@BR Mumba, kikikikiki I like your ka erected ego. Did you indeed phone CNN to make story more RACIST?
I remember how you @Mumba almost burst when CNN reported that “Guy Scott is first WHITE-African president”.
@ndobo … it does not matter what they consider themselves, the bottom line is that they are Africans and the reference is about “Africans” leading the UN. The continent has produced two SGs so far and that is important to note.
The problem with Africans is that we are not usually proud of our achievements. Having invented Mathematics (calculus, trigonometry,etc), Physics and Astronomy we still want to accede to others and allow them to write our history for us.
It’s time for revisionist history as we become the masters of own destiny
All those who glorify these thieves and thugs will also follow them.
@Nostra …. Kikikikiki ati Guy Scott, the first “White” President!!! Oh my goodness; don’t do me like that, Pal. I am not racist, you are making it sound racist … I am not racist like that. I just wanted CNN to acknowledge their error and make sure they put the record straight that we have had 2 “Africans” at the helm of the world. I love you all the same, lol
Gay Gay … please don’t go there with me. I am having such a great day today. Please don’t mess it up … just like Nostra, I love you too all the same. Have a great weekend … much needed. I will be in Kent in 2 weeks for a week, let’s meet at my office there.
Don’t give your regular excuse, this time you have ample time to adjust your schedule.
At the helm of what? Football? Is the UN considered to be a helm of some sort? Shocking.
“It’s out of ignorance that a goat will attend a leopard’s party.”~ African Proverb.
@Gay Gay … so now I am a leopard and you’re a goat. Watina ati nkakulya mu Kent when we meet?
Really laughable ~ Gay Gay
You guys are a bunch of liars feeding on unresearched stereotypes. Egyptians don’t consider themselves Africans! Nasser was one of the founders of the OAU with Haile Sellasie Kwame Nkrumah and your Kaunda. Why is Egypt the championship of Africa 8 times if they are not Africans?
Come on Arafat … tell them
My condolences to the family take heart.
An outstanding diplomat and above all Africa has lsot a brilliant human being. May his soul rest in peace.
Gay Gay is a little boy with a diaper. Like my little son Someone must change his diaper. It is smelly.
Tragic. Kofi Annan was a giant.
Well spoken and well respected.
MHRIP
Truly African representative who made world impact…..Kofi Annan, Rest in Eternal Peace
We have lost a great son of the soil. This was a very great man. It is sad that after all the hard work he put in we now seem to be undoing his work with leaders like lungu in zambia who have continued to abuse power and the rule of law. Great men dont live long. It seems ifikupo like lungu are ones who live longer to terrorise poor souls . Rip big man i still remember when my swiss wife and i met you in geneva whilst i was working on a high level consultancy under the undp. We thank you
At 80 and his children are not married! Should have read survived by 3 children and may be 12 grand children and 4 great grand. I am just being a true African!
Rest In Peace Koffi! You did what you could whilst on Mother Earth.
Please dont drag us into your ignorant views. You are not being African you are just been a knob or a bellend
Dontcare
How can this man be taken away from us meanwhile lungu is still breathing. So saddening
At least he didn’t call con court judges corrupt individuals. He had morals!
You say too much for some one who doesnt care
Not sure which Lungu you’re referring to. I just made a general comment.
‘When the blind say ‘I will stone you!’ he must be stepping on a stone!
Iwe @Strategist (HH) is taking too long to commit suicide. Let’s watch the space and see if he can stomach a 7th straight defeat in 2021.
Meanwhile I have no words for Kofi Annan but I remember it was under his watch that Bush defied the rest of the civilized world and the UN, entering Iraq illegally by force with that mouse face Tony Blair Witch. The 2 warlords pillaged and plundered without restraint.
No words for Kofi.
The problem with you busy nincompoops in UPND ..you think that if Lazy Lungu is out of the picture the door will be wide open for Hakainde and he will simply just drive through gates of State House like a king…how laughable…there are towns run by UPND from MPs to Mayor but there hasn’t been any visible change..they corruption still persists.
Jay you have taken this the wrong way mate. No mention of HH here. We are discussing the death of a great man and tryng to reflect on his life and the current times. Our concern should be how this country has failed to live up to the norms that Koffi Annan stood for. In particular how the PF under lungu have continued to fail the very people koffi stood up for. UPND is an opposition party which is carrying out checks and balances which many people are afraid to do under the cruel regime of lungu. We can only fight. Is it not in zimbabwe where people never thought the day could come when mugabe would be ousted? upto now lungu is scared to have the petition heard and yet he claims he resoundingly won the election. Ayopa chinji?
NÈZ, where is your brother Lazy Jay j?
Lazy Jay j, can you control your trib.al mate please? He seems to be hallu.cinating that directionless h.h will one day be president of Zambia, can’t accept that h.h was condemned to losing the moment in 2006 when he was annointed by upnd on a triba.l mantra to take over from our Andy Mazoka.
you must be a “very proud PF cadre” if you are even embarrased to use PF in your name and would rather settle for a name linked to the very people you see to despise. Insecurities are very stressful. it is no different from having small manhood
@UPND Strategist (HH) will be the longest serving opposition leader 80 years of age, no State House!
Come back and support him
ba kunda ati how? I was at smugglers inn yesterday. I invited you but you were no show. I was mingling with some very rowdy pf thugs who couldnt even afford to buy one drink. If you are in zambia why didnt you turn up?
RIEP great nan Kofi Annan. I wish our h.h could learn something from you, that there are many ways in which to serve mankind, apart from politics in which h.h has failed miserably mainly because he thought that he could use tr.ibe to force himself into something which does not even suit him.
Here is a statesman and a diplomat par excellence whose tr.ibe we do not even know.
And yet our h.h wants us to know that some people are Bandas, others are Nsengas and we should hate all of them!
HH has never uttered those words. The only leader I know to have uttered disparaging words is that rat you call your president. “wako ni wako” .. ulya mwibala … need I go on? ati president kiki
“Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, every family” – Kofi Annan
MHSRIP
Kofi seems to me to have gone too early. Whilst still mourning the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, now it is Kofi Annan. Surely, the world has been rendered poorer and helpless with the death of such a great but humble man. May the soul of this great son of Africa and global citizen rest in eternal peace.
Gone too early ..the man was 80 years old..come on!!
Some one please explain to me the connection with that Nigerian song with this diplomat
RIP Kofi Annan
waiting for the day that drunkard and thief in Zambian state house will be dead
The best president Ghana never had ,rest in peace Kofi Annan.
I LIKED HIS INTELLECT AND WISDOM…..REST IN PEACE CHIEF….