By: Hassan Adan
MOGADISHU—The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) issued a statement on Monday, announcing the designation of James Swan as the new Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of UNSOM.
According to the statement, Swan’s focus will be to support the Somali government and the people “in advancing their priorities for peace, security, development, and state-building.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed James Swan to this role on May 14th.
Prior to his arrival in Mogadishu, James Swan held extensive meetings with leadership at UN headquarters.
Who is James Swan?
James Swan is a seasoned diplomat, having previously served as the Special Representative for Somalia and Head of UNSOM from 2019 to 2022.
He brings a wealth of experience from a long career in the United States Foreign Service. From 2006 to 2008, Mr Swan served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.
Prior to that, he was the Director of African Analysis in the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research from 2005 to 2006.
Swan has also held various other diplomatic assignments in countries across Africa and Latin America, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Cameroon, Nicaragua, and Haiti.
Swan’s appointment came following a move by the Somali government, formally requesting the termination of UNSOM’s mandate in the country.
Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Maalim Fiqi has recently stated that “Somalia will no longer seek to renew resolution 2705 (2023), which provides UNSOM’s current mandate.”
This transition marks a significant shift in the relationship between Somalia and the United Nations as the country reassesses its strategic priorities and the role of the international community in its affairs.
