Biographical Note

Secretary-General Appoints Moustapha Soumaré of Mali as Deputy Special

Representative for UN Mission in Democratic Republic Of Congo

 

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Moustapha Soumaré of Mali as his Deputy Special Representative for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), where he will also serve as United Nations Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

He will succeed Fidèle Sarassoro of Côte d’Ivoire, who will complete his assignment on 30 September 2012.  The Secretary-General is grateful for Mr. Sarassoro’s dedicated service and outstanding contribution to the work of the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Mr. Soumaré brings to the position extensive development and leadership experience.  He is currently the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Recovery and Governance in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), a position he has held since August 2009. 

Mr. Soumaré has served as Deputy Assistant Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Deputy Regional Director for the Regional Bureau for Africa in New York from 2007 to 2009.  He was United Nations Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative in Rwanda from 2005 to 2007, and held a similar position in Benin between 2000 and 2005.  He also served with the UNDP Drylands Development Centre as Senior Technical Adviser from 1994 to 1998.  Before joining the United Nations, Mr. Soumaré held senior positions in the Government of Mali.  

Mr. Soumaré holds a doctorate degree in soil and water conservation from the University of Belgrade, Yugoslavia.  He is married and has three children.

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*     This supersedes Press Release SG/A/1191-BIO/4091-PKO/214 dated 12 June 2009.

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