Media Statement
04 April 2017
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane congratulates Ambassador Mamabolo on his appointment as head of the AU-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has congratulated South Africa’s former ambassador to the United Nations, Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo, who has been appointed as Joint Special Representative and Head of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).
Ambassador Mamablo’s appointment was announced today, 04 April 2017, by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki. Ambassador Mamabolo has been serving UNAMID as Acting Joint Special Representative since the departure of Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi of Nigeria on 04 January 2017.
The UN and the AU said Ambassador Mamabolo brings “first-hand experience in dealing with the situation in Darfur, as well as expertise from his distinguished career in the diplomatic service. Since 2016, he served the mission as Deputy Joint Special Representative for Pillar I, overseeing political, human rights and legal aspects of UNAMID’s activities.”
Before his appointment as South Africa’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations between 2013 and 2016, Mr. Mamabolo served as High Commissioner to Nigeria in 2009, having previously helped to facilitate peace processes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi as Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region from 2006 to 2009. He was Deputy Director-General for African Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Africa from 2002 to 2006.
Mr. Mamabolo has held other senior positions, including Permanent Representative to the African Union, accredited also to Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti (1999-2002). During that period, he led efforts to promote dialogue in post-war Sierra Leone in his capacity as Special Envoy of the African Union to Sierra Leone and the Mano River Basin (2001-2002). He also served as High Commissioner to Zimbabwe (1995-1999).
Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
|
