Nobel Peace laureate and former President of Timor-Leste José Ramos-Horta has been appointed head of the UN office in the West African nation of Guinea-Bissau.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made the announcement earlier this week, pointing out that as President, Mr. Ramos-Horta had contributed to healing wounds and stabilizing the situation in his homeland.

The new envoy travels to New York next week to hold consultations with the Security Council, the UN’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Peacebuilding Commission which advises post-conflict countries.

Eleuterio Guévane spoke on the line to Lisbon, Portugal, to Mr. Ramos-Horta who says he will work to build bridges and forge partnerships in Guinea-Bissau.

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