Ban appoints new UN envoy for West Africa

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Mohammed Ibn Chambas as his Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA).

Mr. Chambas, a national of Ghana, will succeed Said Djinnit of Algeria who was recently tasked by the Secretary-General to serve as his special envoy for the Great Lakes region.

According to the announcement of his appointment, Mr. Chambas brings to the position extensive experience after a long and distinguished career in both international and governmental forums.

Most recently he served as the African Union-UN Joint Special Representative for Darfur and Head of the African Union-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) since 20 December 2012.