German Former President Horst Koehler Passes Away at 81

Horst Koehler, Germany’s former president who served from 2004 to 2010, has passed away at the age of 81 following a brief illness. He died early on Saturday in Berlin, surrounded by his family.

Koehler, an economist by training, made significant contributions on both the national and global stages, becoming the first German president who was not a career politician. Prior to his presidency, he was the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and held various roles in civil service and banking.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier paid tribute to Koehler, calling him a “highly esteemed and extremely popular person” who achieved much for both Germany and the world. Chancellor Olaf Scholz remembered him as a “committed politician who worked throughout his life for a fairer world.”

Koehler was largely unknown to the public when elected, but quickly won recognition for his commitment to Germany’s values and its role in global development. He served a second term in 2009 but resigned in May 2010 after remarks made during an interview were seen as endorsing German military missions abroad to protect trade routes.

Throughout his presidency, Koehler was a strong advocate for Africa, making frequent visits to the continent and emphasizing its potential for global development. His engagement with Africa was both forward-thinking and ethically motivated. He also served as the UN envoy to Western Sahara from 2017 to 2019 and was a member of a panel advising on global development efforts beyond 2015.