UN chief appoints new head of UN Mission in South Sudan

By Parach Mach

JUBA, South Sudan

UN chief appointed New Zealand diplomat David Shearer as his Special Representative and the head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

Shearer will succeed Ellen Margrethe Loj of Denmark, who completed her tenure at the end of November 2016. In a statement, Ban extended his gratitude for contributions to the UN in the world’s youngest nation blighted by over three years civil war.

“The Secretary-General is grateful for Ms. Loj’s dedication and excellent leadership," read the statement.

The UN chief said Shearer would play a pivotal role in the search for peace in the troubled nation.

Shearer, currently a member of parliament in New Zealand, will begin his office in 2017.

Prior to taking up elected office in New Zealand in 2009, Shearer served as the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative, Resident Coordinator, and Humanitarian Coordinator in the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) between 2007-2009.