Filed in by Olando Testimony Zeongar
Monrovia – Liberia’s immediate past president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and throngs of her citizens can’t just stop eulogizing fallen former UN Secretary-General Kofi Atta Annan, with the ex-president describing Dr. Annan as “a trailblazer for peace, freedom and for democracy,” while scores of Liberians continue to inundate social media with messages of condolence.
Dr. Annan, the first black African to lead the United Nations, from 1997 to 2006, died “peacefully” at age 80 in a Swiss hospital on Saturday after a brief period of ailment.
In a statement issued the same day of Dr. Annan’s passing, former President Sirleaf, said the Ghanaian statesman’s death was a loss to the world, describing him as a voice of global moral authority and a humanitarian who never lost sight of his responsibility to lift up those in need.
“Africa today lost a heroic son, and I, one of my dearest colleagues, and a friend. I am so very grateful that I was able to be with Kofi in what was the last few weeks of his life, and fittingly, for the celebration of the centennial of Nelson Mandela’s birthday,” Sirleaf said.
“God bless Kofi’s family, friends and all those whose life he touched. God bless the next generation of young Africans who will be inspired by his example. God Bless the People of Ghana, his beloved home,” she noted.
A friend of Liberia
After the UN, under Dr. Annan, helped to lead Liberia from a decade-plus fratricidal crisis to democratic elections in a little over two years, the Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation (KAICT) was inaugurated in 2006 at the state-run University of Liberia.
The KAICT was established in honor of Dr. Annan for his valuable contributions to conflict resolution and transformation in Africa, particularly in Liberia.
In his report on Liberia to the UN Security Council in mid-September 2006, Dr. Annan took stock of the progress made in the country and the challenges ahead, indicating that Liberia, which was once at the center of conflict in West Africa, was now serving as “an example of hope” and of what can be achieved when leaders and citizens work together.
Nevertheless, the former UN Secretary-General cautioned that Liberia was still faced with enormous challenges in several areas, then urging donor countries to come forward to assist the country recover quickly from long years of civil war.
“Liberia has continued to make tangible progress in a number of areas. The three branches of Government are functioning; the reform of the security sector is gradually progressing; the resettlement of internally displaced persons has been completed; an increasing number of Liberian refugees have returned home,” Annan said.
Earlier in July 2006, Annan visited Liberia to witness the progress being made at the time in rebuilding the country and his meetings with then-President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and her Cabinet, as well as senior public and UN officials, were impressive.
Said Annan: “I was impressed by the commitment and dedication to peace and democratic governance demonstrated by the leaders and people of Liberia.”
While highlighting security as one of the major challenges in Liberia’s reconstruction effort at the time, Dr. Annan urged the Liberian Government and the United Nations to “remain vigilant” to carefully manage internal threats to stability.
Liberians flood social media with condolences
Ever since Dr. Annan’s death news broke, Liberians have not ceased expressing their condolences, with some paying him befitting tributes, especially on Facebook.
Many Liberians, have been writing heart touching eulogies on their Facebook pages even up to Sunday.
One of Liberia’s most revered journalists, Patrick Honnah, Saturday wrote on his official Facebook page: “A towering figure has fallen to the ground. What an irreparable loss. Your contributions to global peace and security were immeasurable. I have no doubt that you will account well for your stewardship to the Great Creator of mankind.”
Soprano Med: “Kofi Annan was UN X-Secretary General. And died yesterday Morning, Date: August 18, 2018. Rest in peace, my hero.”
James Benedict Sulonnoon Paye Jr., for his part, to memorialize Dr. Annan, he penned a tribute titled “My Tribute To The Most Peaceful Modern Father Of Africa-Revolutionary Kofi Annan” – among other things, James wrote that: “O Death! I thought you were going to spare him a huge amount of time to live and to continue those peace talks and arrangements across Africa and the world?
“See how wicked you’re to us? O Death! Why couldn’t you allow him to live another Ten Decades in order to finish what he started since his birth?”
Godisreal Nodoubt wrote yesterday: “Africa has lost another brain and emblem that’s irreplaceable. Dr. Kofi Anan, former Secretary of the United Nation. Born April 8, 1938, and died August 18, 2018. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family and his fellow countrymen.”
Godisreal, Varney Gean, yesterday wrote: “Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is dead. RIP.”
Thomas Williams wrote: “# R.I.P. SG. Koffi Annan. History will forever remember you for your role played in restoring genuine Peace in all parts of the world during your time as United Nations Secretary-General #”
Mohamed Cleftic Daramy: “Today we mourn the loss of a great man, a leader, and a visionary: former UN Secretary-General @KofiAnnan. RIP.”
Razzak Kanneh: “Former UN Secretary-General Koffi Anan, the first black person to head the organization, died in the Swiss City of Bern after a short illness… RIP.”
For their part, a youth organization in Paynesville City, posted on their Facebook page: “Paynesville#Youth_Network_for_Sustainable_Development mourns the death of Dr. Kofi Annan, former secretary general of the United Nations. He was an honest man who stood for the rights of women and promoted equal access to education for all.”
The group added: “He lived a worthy life that was deeply rooted in humbleness and respect for mankind. With that been said, we have today dedicated our page to him for the pride he brought to our continent and the legacy he left with us. Indeed, life is short but when lived with dignity and selflessness, it becomes eternal.”
