The Secretary General of the United Nations has appointed James Swan from the United States as the Acting Special Envoy to Somalia and the Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOM).
Mr. Swan will serve as the Special Envoy on an interim basis following the departure of Catriona Laing, who was the United Nations envoy to Somalia, who will soon leave the office after one year in office.
Mr. Swan is an experienced diplomat who previously served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Somalia, and the UNSOM chief from 2019 to 2022.
Previously, he served as the US Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 2013 to 2016, the Special Envoy to Somalia from 2011 to 2013, and the Ambassador to Djibouti from 2008 to 2011.
His appointment comes at a time when the Somali government is considering closing the United Nations office in Somalia
His appointment also comes at a time when there is a strong dispute over the amendment of the Somali constitution.
