Sammy Kum Buo

News of Herbert’s untimely passing hit me like a rock. I was numb from shock and disbelief. The month before, I’d heard from friends in Freetown who’d spent a jolly good time with him at their home and later at his home. Herbert and I were contemporaries at the UN where we met and quickly became close friends and brothers who loved and cherished Mother Africa. He was the emblematic international civil servant who, though working in the development field , was so well-rounded he was also at ease in political analysis, which was my field, or in administration or peace operations. And, he could hit the ground running whenever or wherever he was assigned. Brilliant, eloquent, charming, fair, transparent, inclusive and tolerant, everyone, irrespective of rank, felt comfortable in his presence. He was intolerant of injustice and never hesitated to lend a helping hand to those, especially younger or junior colleagues who needed a mentor or just someone to listen to their problems. He was fiercely protective of his integrity and conscious of the need to give of his best wherever he was assigned. I was especially proud of him when he was posted as the top UN official in my own
country where he not only quickly mastered the French working language but also left an indelible reputation as one of the best UN representatives ever to have served there. In our retirement, we strove to promote the spirit of Pan Africanist solidarity, convinced that Africa’s progress and respect would be enhanced through collaborative rather than divisive effort. His death is a huge loss, especially as it comes at a time when more and more Africans increasingly recognize the value of a United strategy. I extend sincere, fraternal condolences to Herbert’s family. Hope they draw some comfort from the knowledge that he was loved and respected around the world where he made a big and positive impact.