United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed British national Catriona Laing as the new envoy to Somalia and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).
Catriona Laing will take over from American James Swan, who has been praised for his leadership during his tenure.
Laing has more than 35 years of experience, having held a number of positions in UK government policy, both nationally and internationally.
She served as Deputy Head of Strategy at the UK Prime Minister’s Office (2000-2004), Director of Human Rights at the Ministry of Justice (2009-2012). and Head of the Department of International Development in Sudan (2006-2009).
She was also the head of the United Nations Development Office in Somalia from 1993 to 1994.
The new ambassador recently served as British Ambassador to Nigeria and British Ambassador to Zimbabwe.
Laing will work on political dialogue and reconciliation that will assist the Somali government in building state institutions, promoting human rights and the rule of law, coordinating humanitarian aid efforts, and supporting national peace and security.
