1996 — Kofi Annan Chosen to Lead the United Nations

On December 13, 1996, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1090 by acclamation, recommending Kofi Annan of Ghana as the next Secretary-General. Born in Kumasi, he had outmaneuvered every rival, surviving four French vetoes before Paris finally abstained and the way to the top of the world body lay open.

Four days later the General Assembly confirmed him, and on the first day of 1997 he took office as the first Black African — and the first sub-Saharan African — to lead the United Nations. The appointment kept the office in African hands for a third consecutive term, and placed a son of Kumasi at the head of the world's table.