Mogadishu (Somalistandard) – The United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, has named Catriona Laing, a British diplomat, as the new Special Envoy for Somalia. Laing will also head the United Nations Office of UNSOM, succeeding Amb. James Swan from the US.
The Secretary General’s office announced that Laing’s 35 years of experience in diplomacy, development, and international relations will strengthen her role at the UN office in Somalia.
The statement also noted her previous political roles in the UK government, at both national and international levels, and her past experience as head of the United Nations Development Office in Somalia from 1993 to 1994.
Laing had most recently served as the UK ambassador to Nigeria before her new appointment.
The Secretary General’s decision to appoint Laing came after his historic visit to Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, on April 11th, where he pledged the UN’s support for national and regional efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism and safeguard human rights.
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