African leaders pay tribute to Prince Phillip

African leaders have paid tribute to Britain’s Prince Phillip who died on Friday at the age of 99.

In a press conference with Spain’s Prime Minister, Senegal’s President Macky Sall said of the Duke of Edinburgh:

“I would like to salute the memory of his Highness, Prince Philip of Great Britain who has died. I present my condolences to the Queen Elizabeth II as well as to the British people”.

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed his condolences in a Tweet, saying “may his soul rest in peace.”

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said:

“His Royal Highness Prince Philip has been a towering symbol of family values and the unity of the British people as well the entire global community”.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari said he was a “global icon”. In a statement, he said the Commonwealth will remember the prince “for generations to come”.

Zambia’s President Edgar Lunga also sent his condolences.

“Zambia joins the rest of the World in mourning the passing of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Phillip. We extend our deepest condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Family and the British people”, he tweeted.

The head of the World Trade Organization, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala praised him for founding the Earthshot Prize council, an environmental award that she is involved with.

Meanwhile in Malawi, although his passing is sad, people said the focus should be on his life.

“It is sad yes because we have lost a life but then looking at the age he was, I guess it’s a celebratory thing. We need to celebrate the Prince’s life and no need for crying”, Lilongwe resident Maxwell Kalulu said.

Prince Philip was born in Greece and served throughout the Second World War. He was famed for his deep sense of public duty

“The Royal Family joins with people around the world in mourning his loss”, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

AFN/Nneka Ukachukwu