Former UN chief, Kofi Annan, dies at 80
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate died this morning after a short illness
Former UN chief and Nobel peace laureate Kofi Annan died Saturday at the age of 80, prompting a slew of tributes and condolences from around the world for the "diplomatic rock star". The Ghanaian national, who lived in Switzerland, was a career diplomat who projected quiet charisma and was widely credited for raising the world body’s profile in global politics during his two terms as UN chief from 1997 to 2006. The first secretary general from sub-Saharan Africa, Annan led the UN through the divisive years of the Iraq war and was later accused of corruption in the oil-for-food scandal, one of the most trying times of his tenure. "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," the foundation said in a statement.
"His wife Nane and their children Ama, Kojo and Nina were by his sid...
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