Experienced official to head integrated UN mission in Burundi

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed today a veteran United Nations official with experience in conflict prevention, peacebuilding and humanitarian action as his new Executive Representative in Burundi.

Charles Petrie will succeed Youssef Mahmoud as head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB), spokesperson Martin Nesirky told journalists today in New York. The mission is tasked with helping the Burundian Government’s efforts towards peace and stability in the impoverished country in the African Great Lakes region.

Mr. Petrie, a 50-year-old national of the United Kingdom and France, will also serve as the UN Resident Coordinator, Resident Representative, Humanitarian Coordinator and Designated Official for the eastern African country.

Mr. Petrie has spent the past two decades at the UN which “reflects his experience in conflict prevention, peacemaking, peacebuilding, and humanitarian and recovery/development action,” according to a statement released today by the world body.

His last post was as the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Somalia with the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), where he collaborated closely with the African Union (AU) and the international community to try to stabilize the region.

In addition to positions in Afghanistan, Gaza and Myanmar, he has also served as Chief of the UN Emergency Unit in Sudan, as a senior humanitarian affairs officer in Somalia and as Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in Rwanda.

He will replace Mr. Mahmoud of Tunisia, who led BINUB for the last three years.