African leaders pay tribute to Jimmy Carter

Tributes to former US President Jimmy Carter have come from current and former African leaders, led by Kenyan President William Ruto, who described Carter as ‘a powerful champion for global peace and human rights’, reports NPR. Among the most expressive tributes has come from Nigeria's former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was military leader of Nigeria during Carter's Presidency, and later elected President in 1999. Carter (100) died last Sunday. The US and Nigeria worked together to increase pressure on the apartheid regime in SA, Obasanjo told Arise TV, a Nigerian broadcaster. ‘We worked very closely together for the final (end) of colonialism in southern Africa and for the eradication of apartheid. And what was achieved in the early 1990s, the foundation was laid in those days of Jimmy Carter’. Obasanjo described Carter as ‘a great leader, by any standard’ and a humble President, ‘a man who understands power. But he also understands that the beauty of power is really not in using it.’

Namibian President Hakainde Hichilema hailed Carter as an extraordinary leader whose legacy resonates across the globe, according to The Namibian. ‘We remember President Carter’s remarkable legacy, marked by his unwavering commitment to peace, democracy, good governance, human rights, justice, and equality,’ Hichilema stated. He said Carter’s legacy as a champion of human rights, peace, and democracy was remembered not only in the US but also in nations like Zambia, where his work left an indelible mark. 'During his presidency from 1977 to 1981, President Carter formed a strong bond with Zambia, particularly during the country’s critical period of transition. His influence extended beyond his time in office. In 1991, the Jimmy Carter Centre played a pivotal role in Zambia’s historic return to multi-party democracy, ensuring a credible electoral process that paved the way for democratic governance. The centre’s ongoing support to civil society organisations in Zambia reflects President Carter’s enduring impact.'

Full report in The Namibian

Full NPR report