adminNew York – Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has appointed the United Nations’ top envoy in Iraq as the new special representative in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the troubled central African nation.
Martin Kobler, a veteran German diplomat, will succeed Roger Meece of the United States, who will complete his assignment in July.
Ban said on Monday that Kobler “brings with him a vast experience in shaping international policies in conflict areas”. He praised Meece’s “oustanding contribution and dedicated service for the past three years”.
In an effort to help bring peace to conflict-wracked eastern DRC, the UN Security Council authorized a new “intervention brigade” as part of the 19 800-strong UN force and demanded implementation of a peace agreement signed in February by Congo and 10 other African nations. — AP
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