Ban Appoints British Diplomat as New UN Envoy for Somalia

New York (The Independent/Agencies)Ban Ki-moon has appointed Nicholas Kay, a diplomat from the United Kingdom, as his new Special Representative for Somalia, it was  today.

Mr. Kay succeeds Augustine Mahiga of Tanzania, who has served as Special Representative and head of the UN Political Office for Somalia  for the last three years and will complete his assignment on 3 June 2013.

In the announcement of the new appointment, the Secretary-General paid tribute to Mr. Mahiga’s “exemplary leadership” in helping to steer the conclusion of Somalia’s eight-year political transition in the summer of 2012.

“The Secretary-General recalls with deep appreciation the fact that Mr. Mahiga’s contributions had laid the foundation on which the Federal Government of Somalia, with the help of the international community, can now further engage on peacebuilding and the consolidation of security and development initiatives in the country.”