UN chief appoints new UNAMID force commander
June 4, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The United Nations and the African Union have appointed Lt. General Paul Ignace Mella, the new force commander of its Hybrid Operations in Darfur (UNAMID).
Lt. Gen Mella, a Tanzanian, replaces Rwanda’s Lt. Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba, who completed his assignment at the end of March.
In a statement, the UN Secretary-General, Ban ki-moon expressed deep appreciation to the outgoing force commander for his dedication and “invaluable” service at UNAMID.
The new force commander reportedly brings with him a long and distinguished career with the Tanzanian military, having most recently served as the Chief of Defence Intelligence Organization in Dar es Salaam.
A holder of a Masters in Security and Strategic Studies from South African Defense College, Lt. Gen. Mella, also held a number of important operational, command and staff positions, prior to his work as Tanzania’s intelligence chief.
Born in 1955, the new UNAMID force commander previously served as Director of Foreign Intelligence in the Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Forces, Commanding Officer of an Infantry Battalion in the UN Mission in Liberia and Defence Adviser at the Tanzania High Commission in the Republic of Uganda.
(ST).