UN chief appoints Haile Menkerios special AU representative
May 17, 2013 (JUBA) – The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has appointed Haile Menkerios as new Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) and his Special Representative to the African Union at the level of Under-Secretary-General.
He replaces Zachary Muburi-Muita, whose assignment ends next month.
Ki-moon, in a statement, said he was grateful to Muburi-Muita for his “dedicated” service with UNOAU, since its establishment in 2010 and for “deepening the African Union-United Nations strategic partnership”.
The South African reportedly brings to the position extensive experience in African issues and with the UN, having served in various positions within the world body.
Prior to his appointment as Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan in July 2011, Menkerios, served as Special Representative and Head of the UN Mission in Sudan since 1 March 2010 and Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs from 2007-2010.
Previously, he also held various positions with the UN in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in addition to his role as senior adviser to the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to the Inter-Congolese Dialogue in 2002.
Born in 1946, Menkerios, who holds a masters degree from Harvard University, also represented the Government of Eritrea in various capacities, including as Ambassador to Ethiopia and the Organisation of African Unity, Special Envoy to Somalia and also to the Great Lakes region, and as Permanent UN Representative.
Meanwhile, the UN chief has appointed Aichatou Mindaoudou Souleymane as his Special Representative for Côte d’Ivoire and Head of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI).
Mindaoudou, who hails from Niger, replaces Albert Gerard (Bert) Koenders from the Netherlands.
Ki-moon, in a statement issued Friday, said he was grateful for the dedicated service Koenders offered, during his time with the UN.
Born in 1959, Mindaoudou, who holds a PhD in International Law, reportedly brings to the position more than 20 years of experience and a distinguished career in the Niger government.
(ST)