Kofi Annan, former UN secretary general, dies aged 80

Kofi Annan, former UN secretary general, dies aged 80
Kofi Annan, the former chief of the United Nations who also won the Nobel Peace Prize, has died at the age of 80.

He served two terms at the UN from 1997 to 2006 and was the first black African to take up the role.

The Kofi Annan Foundation confirmed his death on Saturday (August 18), saying he passed away peacefully after a short illness. He died in hospital in Bern, Switzerland, in the early hours of the morning, CNBC reported.

Annan spent virtually his entire career as an administrator in the United Nations. His aristocratic style, cool-tempered elegance and political savvy helped guide his ascent to become its seventh secretary-general, and the first hired from within. He served two terms from Jan. 1, 1997, to Dec. 31, 2006, capped nearly mid-way when he and the UN were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001.

Even out of office, Annan never completely left the UN orbit. He returned in special roles, including as the UN-Arab League’s special envoy to Syria in 2012. He remained a powerful advocate for global causes through his eponymous foundation.

He also joined "The Elders," an elite group of former leaders founded by Nelson Mandela, eventually succeeding Desmond Tutu as its chairman after a failed interlude trying to resolve Syria’s rising war.

As special envoy to Syria in 2012, Annan won international backing for a six-point plan for peace. The UN deployed a 300-member observer force to monitor a cease-fire, but peace never took hold and Annan was unable to surmount the bitter stalemate among Security Council powers. He resigned in frustration seven months into the job, as the war raged on.

In his memoir, Annan recognized the costs of taking on the world’s top diplomatic job, joking that "SG," for secretary-general, also signified "scapegoat" around UN headquarters.

Annan is survived by his wife and three children. Funeral arrangement weren’t immediately announced.

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