Cartoonists across the globe have responded to the loss of the Ghanaian diplomat and former UN Secretary-General.
Kofi Annan caricature by Terry Anderson
With the death of Kofi Annan human rights organisations the world over have lost one of their most well-known and passionate advocates.
Cartoonists Rights Network International joins in the outpouring of grief that has ensued since August 18th and sends our condolences to colleagues who knew him best, especially Cartooning For Peace staff in France and Switzerland.
CRNI Executive Director Dr Robert Russell said:
“We are so saddened by news of the death of Kofi Annan, a great friend and supporter of political cartooning, especially through his patronage and support of Cartooning For Peace which has contributed tremendously to the growing awareness that political cartoonists are first responders in the complicated struggles around free speech.”
Alongside cartoonist for Le Monde Plantu, president of the Salon International de la Caricature, du Dessin de Presse et d’Humour Gérard Vandenbroucke and a diverse panel of cartoonists including former CRNI board member Ann Telnaes, Annan founded CFP with a large scale exhibit at the UN in 2006 and served as their honorary president since.
His legacy will be assured by their continuing work on behalf of cartoonists in jeopardy such as Musa Kart, this year’s International Press laureate.
