Tributes have been pouring for former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan,who passed away peacefully on Saturday after a short illness".

World leaders have taken to social media to pay their respects to the Ghanaian  who "rose through the ranks to lead the organisation into the new millennium".

Current UN chief Antonio Guterres has been leading the tributes to his predecessor, describing Mr Annan as "a guiding force for good".

"In many ways, Kofi Annan was the United Nations. He rose through the ranks to lead the organisation into the new millennium with matchless dignity and determination," he said in a statement.

Tony Blair with Kofi Annan in 2006

Former British prime minister Tony Blair also tweeted: "I'm shocked and distressed to hear the news about Kofi. He was a good friend whom I saw only weeks ago.

"Kofi Annan was a great diplomat, a true statesman and a wonderful colleague who was widely respected and will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathy go Nane and his family."

Mr Blair's successor Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah wrote: "A leader of leaders, a titan amongst world statesman, a wonderful humanitarian and the most compassionate and caring of individuals. Kofi Annan will be sorely missed."

In a lengthy statement,Former Indian career international diplomat and Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha  says he was "shocked to learn" the death of Annan who died at 80.

"Annan was a proud son of Africa," says Shashi Tharoor

“Deeply shocked to learn of the passing of my friend & mentor Kofi Annan. The last time we spoke he had accepted my invitation to come to Kerala in 2022 to celebrate his "thousand moons". He was so fit I had no doubt he would go on well past that date. I have lost an elder brother,” tweeted Congress leader and former Undersecretary-General Shashi Tharoor.
“Kofi Annan was a proud son of Africa, a great admirer of India, a voice of the developing world, a paragon of internationalism & an exemplar of humanity. The UN was fortunate to have been led by him at a pivotal moment in world history. He remains one of its greatest Secretaries-General,” he said.

Mr Annan served two terms as UN chief from 1997 to 2006, and was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for humanitarian work for his efforts.

Source:ghanaguardian.com