MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Newly appointed UN envoy, James Swan, has today arrived in Mogadishu.
Swan who will take up his duties as the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia and Head of Mission for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia was appointed last month.
His first assignment to Somalia was 25 years ago when he served as a Political Officer in the Office of the U.S. Special Envoy for Somalia from 1994 to 1996.
His predecessor, Nicholas Haysom, was early this year expelled after being accused of “shaming” the world body by acting like the country’s ruler.
Somali government had accused the South African lawyer and experienced diplomat of interfering the country’s internal affairs.
He was appointed by as UN Chief Antonio Guterres’ as Special Representative for Somalia in September 2018 and was assigned the task of helping the country to achieve peace and stability.
Mr. Haysom had raised a concern about the killing of protesters allied with ex-Shabaab leader Mukhtar Robow.
He wrote a letter indicating that Security forces were allegedly involved in the deaths of about 15 of the protesters and the detention of about 300 people after the government arrested.
The UN provides training, uniforms, and stipends to its security forces, who are battling al-Shabab group which mans remote areas in the south and central Somalia.
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