Ban appoints Senegalese General as UN Force Commander for Central African Republic

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Lieutenant General Balla Keïta of Senegal as the Force Commander of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

Lieutenant General Keïta succeeds Major General Martin Chomu Tumenta of Cameroon, who passed away last 30 November.

“The Secretary-General was deeply saddened by Major General Tumenta's untimely death and reiterates his appreciation for the late Force Commander's contribution to the work of the United Nations,” Mr. Ban said in a statement issued by his spokesperson.

Lieutenant General Keïta brings with him over 40 years of national and international military experience. Since 7 November, he has served as Acting Force Commander of MINUSCA. Previously, he served in the African Union/United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) as Deputy Force Commander from 2013 to 2015 and as Sector Commander from 2007 to 2010.

Lieutenant General Keïta has also held a variety of senior level positions in his national capacity, including as Inspector General of the Senegalese Armed Forces from 2012 to 2013.