UPDATE - African leaders mourn death of Iran’s president

UPDATES WITH CONDOLENCES FROM MORE AFRICAN LEADERS; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE; EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Hassan Isilow

African leaders on Monday extended condolences to Iran, following the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other senior officials in a helicopter crash.

The crash occurred on Sunday in East Azerbaijan province, northwestern Iran.

Tehran on Monday morning confirmed that Raisi, Amir-Abdollahian, and other officials died in the crash.

“President Raisi was a fearless leader and a dedicated public servant with a long and distinguished career in public service. He was a firm leader committed to the causes that he believed in and sought to elevate Iran’s standing on the global stage,” Kenyan President William Ruto said in a statement.

Ruto said Kenya and the Republic of Iran share cordial relations signified by the fact that in his first-ever trip to the African continent as President, Raisi chose Kenya as his first destination.

He expressed his heartfelt condolences and solidarity with Iran and said: “As we condole with the people of Iran, we commend Allah's mercy and comfort to the people of Iran.”

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said: “On behalf of the People and Government of Ethiopia and myself, I express heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, people, and government of Iran over the tragic helicopter crash that claimed President Raeisi and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian.”

Guine-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo also extended his condolences to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as the government and people of Iran following the tragedy.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu also expressed grief over the death of Raisi and extended his condolences to the government and the people of Iran.

In a statement, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “This is an extraordinary, unthinkable tragedy that has claimed a remarkable leader of a nation with whom South Africa enjoys strong bilateral relations and whom we were honored to welcome to the BRICS fold in Johannesburg in 2023.”

BRICS is a bloc of emerging economies, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and recently admitted Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates as full members.

Ramaphosa said his country joins Iran in this moment of mourning, and that his thoughts are with the affected families and the administration of Iran.

He also offered his deep condolences to the government and the people of Iran.