BY: Charles Brafo-Anakwah
Exactly four years ago the world was shocked at the sudden death of former UN Secretary, General Kofi Annan, in the Swiss city of Berne.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who confirmed the news of the departure of the African Global Icon quickly paid a tribute: ”Consummate international diplomat and highly respected former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan was the first from sub-Saharan Africa to occupy the exalted position.
He brought considerable renown to our country by this position and through his conduct and comportment in the global arena.”
The Ghanaian President continued: “He was an ardent believer in the capacity of the Ghanaian to chart his or her own course onto the path of progress and prosperity. Undoubtedly, he excelled in the various undertakings of his life, leaving in his trail, most pleasant memories. He was a life well-lived.”
Nana Addo who once operated in the diplomatic community as a Foreign Minister and had numerous encounters with Kofi Annan announced immediate measures to mourn his compatriot. He directed that Ghana’s national flag be flown at half mast across the country and in all of Ghana’s diplomatic missions the world over for one week’”
As if by coincidence the fourth anniversary of Kofi Anna’s death has coincided with another round of post-election crises in Kenya where the former UN Secretary General, then on retirement displayed his mercurial skills in intervening in conflicts.
Successfully managing the 2008 post election crisis in Kenya was a land mark act performed by the late Kofi Annan who recalled how he confronted the challenge in his best selling book, “Interventions : A life in war and peace”
“My role in mediating the violent 2008 Kenyan political crisis backed by a remarkable international and African support network was one for which in some ways, I had spent my entire decade-long tenure as Secretary General preparing.”
He continued, “it was perhaps the hardest, most intensive and enduring of all my interventions in the affairs of another country and a deal that required me to draw on every aspect of my experience of diplomacy and energy for peace gaining- this time at the heart of my own continent.”
Kenyans who were highly appreciative of the late gentle diplomat’s efforts to restore peace to their country will forever be grateful to Kofi Annan for his intervention which led to the formation of the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation (KNDR). His efforts saved the East African country from what would have been a protracted deadly conflict.
The man declared the loser in last week’s election in Kenya, Raila Odinga, was one of the high profile international figures who mourned the demise of Kofi Annan. His heartfelt tribute read; “In Kenya we retain fond memories of Kofi Annan as the man who stepped in and saved the country from collapse following the 2007-2008 post-election violence. He was an inspiration on our continent (Africa)and beyond.”
Trouble has started knocking at the door of Kenya again following the declaration of the August 9 election results by the Chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Mr Wafula Chebukati.
He announced that Deputy President, William Ruto who was one of the presidential candidates, was the winner with 7,176,141 votes representing 50.49 per cent of the final vote while Raila Odinga, the other contestant, got 6,942,930 translating to 48.85 per cent.
.But in a dramatic twist of events, four among the seven electoral commissioners who in a sharp reaction to the declaration of the “certified electoral results” told reporters that they could not support the “opaque nature” of the final steps of the collation.
Immediately after the declaration of the controversial results, scuffles and disturbing screams soon broke out at the collation centre, and in the full glare of television cameras, a lectern was tossed from the stage, compelling the police to quickly step in to restore order amidst the blazing chaos.
Meanwhile, Raila Odinga who feels aggrieved has given an indication of going to the Supreme Court to seek redress. This could be a clear sign of using the law court to resolve the impasse amicably. But the big question is: Could the decision by the Supreme Court, if it sits on the case, appease the loser and his followers? This is a big question: Should things get out of hand, who can have the wits and skills of the late Kofi Annan to intervene to safe the East African country from expelling the trouble which is knocking at its door?
The Akans have a proverb which can be applied in the circumstance: “Ye du amanfo so a na y’akae yaanom” This can be translated literally as “We feel the presence of the prominent departed settlers when we visit the remnants of a collapsed human settlement area.”
The world will forever remember Kofi Annan, the great statesman and the African Global Icon, who earned a reputation as using his position in several delicate political situations. Truly, to mark the fourth anniversary of his departure I think the best tribute to pay to him is to recall what the former President of the European Union, Jean Claude Juncker said in a tribute: “The greatest recognition we can give him is to keep his legacy and his spirit alive.”
Let all peace lovers pray that cool heads prevail in the ensuing crisis in Kenya so the situation does not escalate. The East African country’s budding democracy has to be preserved at all cost to honour the memory of the late Kofi Annan..
BRAFO-ANAKWAH IS A – JOURNALIST BASED IN KUMASI