UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Michael Keating of the United Kingdom as his new Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

Keating will assume his duties in replacing of Nicholas Kay of the United Kingdom who will complete his assignment at the end of the year.

 

UN Secretary-General praised Kay’s dedication, courage and excellent leadership of UNSOM over the past two and a half years, adding that it was a critical period for Somalia’s political transformation.

 

The new Special Representative of the UNSOM, Michael Keating, has an extensive experience in supporting political and peace building transitions, as well as leading complex humanitarian and recovery programmers in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa.