UN head Guterres mourns Annan, describes him as ‘force for good’

UN Secretary General António Guterres has hailed his predecessor Kofi Annan as a ‘force for good’ following news of his demise Saturday.

Guterres praised the late Annan for his work as the seventh Secretary General of the United Nations adding the Ghanaian national had committed his service to the UN and embodied values of the UN Charter.

“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,” the UN chief said in a statement.

Annan, Guterres said ‘rose through the ranks to lead the organization into the new millennium with matchless dignity and determination’.

RELATED COVERAGE: Ex-UN chief Kofi Annan is dead

The Kofi Annan Foundation announced Saturday the death of the Nobel Laurette following a short illness.

Guterres who was appointed by Annan to serve as UN High Commissioner for Refugees under his leadership described Annan as ‘someone I could always turn to for counsel and wisdom — and I know I was not alone. He provided people everywhere with a space for dialogue, a place for problem-solving and a path to a better world.”

“In these turbulent and trying times, he never stopped working to give life to the values of the United Nations Charter. His legacy will remain a true inspiration for all of us,” the UN chief said.

GOOBJOOG NEWS