President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Statement on the Passing of Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan
UN Photo/Evan Schneider
On behalf of the Government and People of the Republic of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed sincere condolences on the sad passing of the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan of Ghana.
Upon hearing news of his untimely death, President Ramaphosa reflected on the life and legacy of Mr Annan. He noted that, “Former UN Secretary-General Anan was a consummate diplomat, who lived a life in service to humanity”. President Ramaphosa stated that “In becoming the first UN Secretary-General from Africa and also the first Secretary-General to rise from within the UN system as a career diplomat, he became a symbol of African excellence and the contribution that Africans are making towards peace, development and human rights throughout the world. Through his tireless efforts, he was instrumental in strengthening and promoting the multilateral system of global governance in the quest ensuring that the people of this world live in Larger Freedom as envisaged by the Charter of the United Nations”.
After his term as Secretary-General had come to an end, Mr Annan continued his service to towards making the world a better place by Chairing the Group of Elders who are dedicated to improving peace and human rights.
President Ramaphosa recalled that Mr Annan received South Africa’s National Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in 2004 for his role in the struggle against colonialism worldwide, serving as an inspiration for the fight against apartheid.
President Ramaphosa expressed the heartfelt condolences to Mr Annan’s wife, Nane; his family; the people of Ghana; and indeed the entire United Nations on the passing of this great son of Africa.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Date: 18 August 2018
Monday, 20-Aug-2018 11:57 AM
