Ban Ki-moon selects Algerian official as top envoy for West Africa

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has informed the Security Council of his plan to appoint Algeria’s Said Djinnit as his Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA).

Mr. Djinnit is replacing Gen. Lamine Cissé, who has served as Officer-in-Charge of UNOWA since last September, when his predecessor, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, was re-assigned.

Currently serving as the African Union’s Commissioner for Peace and Security, Mr. Djinnit has worked for the AU in several senior positions, including as its Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs.