Mogadishu – The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, appointed Catriona Laing, a British diplomat, as the new United Nations Special Representative for Somalia on Tuesday, a move which disregarded a strong campaign by the Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to appoint a favorite Canadian diplomat, according reliable Somali and United Nations officials who spoke to Horn Examiner.
Laing will succeed the current Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) for United Nations Mission in Somalia, James Swan, an American.
Her appointment’s decision has left Villa Somalia officials scratching their heads and expressing their dissatisfaction with Mr. Guterres’s preferred choice.
However, officials at Somalia’s State House have told the Horn Examiner that despite the appointment of Catriona Laing, which took them by surprise and dented their hopes of having their preferred candidate, Jarat Chopra, a Canadian diplomat who has worked with the United Nations Monitoring Group appointed, the President is still pushing for Lang’s appointment to be withdrawn.
The officials requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
The development comes despite President Mohamud’s advocacy for Chopra as his preferred candidate which he raised with the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres during his recent state visit in Doha as well as during the UN Chief’s subsequent visit to Mogadishu.
Jarat Chopra is a seasoned Canadian diplomat with vast experience in the United Nations and international development organizations.
Throughout his tenure in the region, he has developed strong relationships with leaders and officials in Somalia, spanning various political and development sectors, earning him many friends in Somalia and beyond.
Regardless, Mr. Gutteres proceeded with the appointment of his preferred candidate, Lang to lead the UN’s mission.
Although Laing has a reputation for her diplomatic and cautious approach, the Somali President reportedly sees Chopra as a more amicable diplomat who could work with him in a friendlier manner, given their longstanding association.
Despite the President’s push for Lang’s replacement, experts are concerned that the situation could create tensions between Somali Government and the UN as well as the UK, Lang’s home country, potentially damaging their working relationship.
We, at the Horn Examiner, are continuously striving to improve our reporting, and we genuinely appreciate your feedback.
We invite you to share your thoughts on what you enjoyed and any areas where we can further enhance our work.
Please feel free to send your tips to: editor@hornexaminer.com.
Your feedback will be highly appreciated!
Facebook Comments