UN REMEMBERS KOFI ANNAN

“His most defining features were his humanity and solidarity with those in need.He put people at the centre of the work of the United Nations, and was able to turn compassion into action across the UN system,’’ Guterres said.

The world body Scribe listed some of the actions Annan took to include uniting world leaders to agree global targets on poverty and child mortality – linchpins of the landmark Millennium Development Goals.

Guterrers pointed out that as his successor , Annan also did not shy away from addressing challenging issues, adding further that, “the former UN chief also joined with Civil Society and the Healthcare injury to save lives from HIV and AIDS.

‘Annan faced up to the grave errors made by the United Nations in the 1990s – in its response to the Rwanda genocide and the Srebrenica killings – by shining a light inside the UN.The reports he commissioned aimed to make sure such terrible mistakes are never repeated, and set the international community on a new course in its response to mass atrocities,”Guterres said.

He also stated that the passing of his predecessor was “a personal loss’’ for many who worked in the UN system.

Penpushing, however, reports that the UN flag outside headquarters was flown at half-mast for three days following the announcement of Annan’s death, while staff members have been filling a book of condolences with expressions of sympathy to his wife, Nane, and family.

Similarly, many United Nations(UN) staffers have been sharing their memories of the deceased who they described as “wise yet humble, courteous and charming’’.

Penpushing recalled that Kofi Annan died on Saturday at the age of 80 in Switzerland. A mild-mannered diplomat from Ghana rose through the UN system to become its seventh leader in January 1997, serving two consecutive five-year terms till December 2006.