Former German President Horst Köhler Dies at 81

Horst Köhler, known for his focus on Africa, economic expertise, and principled leadership, passed away after a brief illness.

Horst Köhler, Germany's ninth president, served from 2004 to 2010, emphasizing global partnerships and development, especially in Africa.
Köhler was an economist with a distinguished career, including roles as IMF director and key negotiator for German reunification agreements.
His presidency was marked by efforts to foster equitable global economic relations and advocate for Africa as a partner continent rather than a crisis zone.
Köhler resigned unexpectedly in 2010 following criticism of comments linking military deployments to economic interests, a decision he attributed to protecting the dignity of his office.
Post-presidency, he remained active in international initiatives, including serving as a UN envoy for the Western Sahara conflict and championing climate and social justice issues.