Kofi Annan Biography and Timeline

Peacekeeping Role

Moves into United Nations peacekeeping leadership after the Cold War

Role range: 1992-1993

Peacekeeping Chief

Becomes Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations

Role range: 1993-1996

Somalia Peacekeeping

Oversees UN peacekeeping policy during the Somalia mission crisis

Role range: 1991- – 1993-1996

Rwanda Crisis

Peacekeeping department faces severe criticism during the Rwandan genocide

Role range: 1994-1994 – 1993-1996

Peacekeeping Department Response

The UN response later receives severe criticism.

Role range: 1994-1994 – 1993-1996

UNAMIR Crisis Management

Oversees peacekeeping administration during the rapidly worsening Rwanda crisis.

Role range: 1994-1994 – 1993-1996

ICTR Establishment

Works within the UN as the Rwanda tribunal is established.

Role range: 1994-1994 – 1993-1996

International Genocide Justice Framework

The ICTR receives jurisdiction over 1994 genocide crimes.

Role range: 1994-1994 – 1993-1996

Bosnia Peacekeeping

Helps manage United Nations peacekeeping responsibilities during the Bosnian War

Role range: 1992-1995 – 1993-1996

Chemical Weapons Convention Enters Force

The Chemical Weapons Convention enters into force, establishing a verified global chemical disarmament regime.

Role range: 1997-2006

Human Rights Anniversary

Marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Role range: 1997-2006

Rome Statute Establishes Court Framework

A diplomatic conference adopted the Rome Statute providing for the International Criminal Court.

Rwanda Tribunal Delivers Genocide Judgment

The Rwanda Tribunal convicted Jean Paul Akayesu in a landmark judgment concerning genocide.

United Nations Resolution 1244

Supports implementation of the international civil and security presence authorized for Kosovo.

Role range: 1991-1999

UNMIK Established

Security Council establishes UNMIK after the Kosovo conflict

Role range: 1998-1999 – 1997-2006

INTERFET Authorized

Security Council authorizes international force for East Timor

Role range: 1999-1999 – 1997-2006

UNAMSIL Established

UN Security Council establishes UNAMSIL peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone

Role range: 1991-2002 – 1997-2006

UNTAET Established

UN Transitional Administration in East Timor is created

Role range: 1999-2002 – 1997-2006

Security Council Establishes Kosovo Mission

The Security Council established UNMIK which subsequently supported justice mechanisms in Kosovo.

Peacekeeping Reform Report

Receives Brahimi Report recommending major UN peacekeeping reforms

Role range: 1997-2006

UN Security Council Resolution 1322

Receives Council condemnation of violence after the Temple Mount Haram al Sharif crisis

Role range: 1997-2006

Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding Process

Annan joins summit diplomacy that establishes an international fact-finding process intended to examine the violence and recommend confidence-building measures.

Role range: 2000-2005 – 1997-2006

Sierra Leone Court Agreement Reached

The United Nations and Sierra Leone agreed to establish a special court to prosecute serious crimes.

UN Debate

Urges Israelis and Palestinians to halt violence and return to political negotiations

Role range: 1997-2006

Cambodia Tribunal Agreement Process Advances

The United Nations continued negotiations on mechanisms to prosecute Khmer Rouge era crimes.

Peacekeeping Success

United Nations supports completion of disarmament and transition from war

Role range: 1991-2002 – 1997-2006

UN Security Council Resolution 1397

Welcomes a Council resolution affirming a vision of two states

Role range: 1997-2006

UN Security Council Resolution 1397

Annan serves as Secretary-General as Resolution 1397 affirms a vision of Israel and Palestine living side by side within secure and recognized borders.

Role range: 2000-2005 – 1997-2006

UN Security Council Resolution 1402

Calls for implementation of a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian cities

Role range: 1997-2006

UN Security Council Resolution 1402

Annan serves as Secretary-General as Resolution 1402 calls for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestinian cities.

Role range: 2000-2005 – 1997-2006

UN Security Council Resolution 1403

Receives Council demands for implementation of Resolution 1402 during West Bank fighting

Role range: 1997-2006

UN Security Council Resolution 1403

Annan works amid continuing fighting as Resolution 1403 demands implementation of the earlier ceasefire and withdrawal requirements.

Role range: 2000-2005 – 1997-2006

UN Security Council Resolution 1405

Is asked to develop accurate information on events in Jenin

Role range: 1997-2006

UN Security Council Resolution 1405

Annan receives Security Council support for efforts to establish facts concerning events in Jenin after the major West Bank fighting.

Role range: 2000-2005 – 1997-2006

East Timor Independence

UN transitional administration ends as East Timor becomes independent

Role range: 1999-2002 – 1997-2006

UN Security Council Resolution 1435

Receives Council demand that Israel end measures in Ramallah and withdraw from Palestinian cities

Role range: 1997-2006

International Criminal Court Begins

The Rome Statute entered into force and the International Criminal Court came into existence.

Sierra Leone Special Court Opens

The Special Court for Sierra Leone began functioning as a treaty based internationalized tribunal.

UN Security Council Resolution 1515

Sees the Council endorse the Quartet Road Map for a two-state solution

Role range: 1997-2006

Darfur Warning

Warns of grave humanitarian abuses in Darfur

Role range: 2003-2020 – 1997-2006