Former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan has been reported dead.
Mr. Annan died in the early hours of Saturday in Switzerland.
He recently visited South Africa and returned to Switzerland for medical care.
In a tweet, the UN Migration body said: “Today we mourn the loss of a great man, a leader, and a visionary.”
It went on: “A life well lived. A life worth celebrating.”
Confirming the death, the Annan family and Kofi Annan Foundation posted on Facebook: “It is with immense sadness that the Annan family and the Kofi Annan Foundation announce that Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Laureate, passed away peacefully on Saturday 18th August after a short illness. His wife Nane and their children Ama, Kojo and Nina were by his side during his last days.”
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“Kofi Annan was a global statesman and a deeply committed internationalist who fought throughout his life for a fairer and more peaceful world. During his distinguished career and leadership of the United Nations he was an ardent champion of peace, sustainable development, human rights and the rule of law,” the post added.
He was 80 years old.
Kofi Annan served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1997 to December 2006 and was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the United Nations in 2001 “for their work for a better organised and more peaceful world.”
In 2002, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, gave him the highest honour in Asanteman and conferred the rare title of “Busumuru” on Kofi Annan in recognition of his service to humanity.
He was founder and Chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation. Kofi Annan was married with three children. May his soul rest in peace.
The family have requested privacy at this time of mourning. Arrangements to celebrate his remarkable life will be announced later.
