World leaders mourn Kofi Annan as a great statesman

Leaders from across the world have mourned the passing of former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said their flag would fly at halfmast for one week in honor of the great compatriot.

“The Government and people of Ghana, First Lady Rebecca and I are deeply saddened by the news of the death, in Berne, Switzerland, of one of our greatest compatriots, Mr. Kofi Annan.

“I extend, on behalf of the entire Ghanaian nation, our sincere, heartfelt condolences to his beloved widow, Nane Maria, and to his devoted children, Ama, Kojo and Nina, on this great loss. I am, however, comforted by the information, after speaking to Nane Maria, that he died peacefully in his sleep,” he said in a statement.

Fmr. President Obama on death of fmr. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan:

"Kofi never stopped his pursuit of a better world, and made time to motivate and inspire the next generation of leaders. Michelle and I offer our condolences to his family and many loved ones." pic.twitter.com/AouJ2JjNU8

— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 18, 2018

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said his thoughts and prayers go out to the family, relatives and friends.

“We pray that the Almighty God will grant his family, relatives and friends the strength and grace to bear the loss,” he said in a statement.

Deputy President William Ruto said the world has lost an outstanding, remarkable and suave diplomat.

“We feel an immense sense of sadness and grief as we mourn a distinguished scholar and a friend of humanity,” he said in a statement on Saturday.

Former Kenyan Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Daniel Arap Moi also sent messages of condolence to the family and friends of Annan and the entire Ghanaian nation.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Kenyans would remember Annan for saving the country from collapse during the 2007/8 post election violence.

Nicholas Sarkozy of France said: “Kofi Annan was a man of peace, a wise, an awareness of our time. A man of convictions, he was a great Secretary-General of the United Nations and a tireless advocate of multilateralism and human rights. My thoughts go out to his family and relatives.”

Former U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown described Annan as “a leader of leaders, a titan amongst world statesman, a wonderful humanitarian and the most compassionate and caring of individuals.”

Kofi Annan believed that anyone could take a stand, make a difference, and help create a better world for all. We will miss him greatly. pic.twitter.com/phPGH2A5Ez

— UN Foundation (@unfoundation) August 19, 2018

“I’m shocked and distressed to hear the news about Kofi. He was a good friend whom I saw only weeks ago. Kofi Annan was a great diplomat, a true statesman and a wonderful colleague who was widely respected and will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathy go Nane and his family,” former British PM Tony Blair said.

"Kofi Annan was a guiding force for good. It is with profound sadness that I learned of his passing." – @antonioguterres

Former @UN Secretary General and Nobel Peace Laureate Kofi Annan passed away on Saturday, 18 August. Statement: https://t.co/YkcMqTk0qI pic.twitter.com/DdYbVW6MT5

— UN Geneva (@UNGeneva) August 18, 2018

British High Commissioner to Ghana said Annan was one of the first people he met after arriving in the country and he was a remarkable man.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz‏ also expressed saddened over the death of Kofi Annan.

“He was a truly inspiring leader and statesman. I am humbled to have known him,” he said.

Tragic to learn about Kofi Annan’s death. He personified what is best about the UN, and also had to deal with some of it’s hardest challenges. A great listener, and someone who made everyone want to listen.

— Margot Wallström (@margotwallstrom) 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. The world has lost a great leader and role model today. pic.twitter.com/CAXqMt23Sb

— Paul Polman (@PaulPolman) August 18, 2018

My deepest condolences for the passing of Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General. We have lost a great peace maker and true humanist.
In the last two years, I have worked very closely with Mr. Annan, including on Myanmar.
May you rest in peace, Excellency.

— Menteri Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia (@Menlu_RI) August 18, 2018

With deep sadness, the world loses a great leader: Kofi Annan, 1938-2018. https://t.co/kilEtICp3B pic.twitter.com/Iqe25Ujoez

— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) August 18, 2018