SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS NEW SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR SIERRA LEONE

The Secretary-General has appointed Daudi Ngelautwa Mwakawago as his new Special Representative for Sierra Leone, with immediate effect.

Mr. Mwakawago served as the Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations from 1994 to 2003.  Prior to that, he had served in high positions in the Government of Tanzania, including as Minister for Information and Broadcasting (1972-1977), Minister of Information and Culture (1982-1983), Minister of Labour and Manpower Development (1983-1987), and Minister of Industry and Trade (1987).

He also held a number of prominent positions in the Parliament of his country, including the post of the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee (1989-1990).  In 1997, Mr. Mwakawago chaired the “Group of 77” developing countries in the United Nations.

Mr. Mwakawago succeeds Oluyemi Adeniji, who was recently appointed as Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs.  The Secretary-General expressed his deep appreciation for the effective leadership that Mr. Adeniji provided to the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL).  Under his stewardship, the Mission was able to recover from the crisis of May 2000 to become a success story.  The Mission subsequently supported a massive disarmament exercise, as well as national elections in Sierra Leone, and facilitated the restoration of the Government’s authority throughout the territory of Sierra Leone.

Under Mr. Mwakawago’s leadership, UNAMSIL, and the whole United Nations family, will continue to assist the people of Sierra Leone to consolidate peace, while the Mission is also drawing down.

* *** *