UN Secretary-General António Guterres has fired Algerian diplomat who failed to bridge warring factions in Sudan and appointed Pekka Haavisto of Finland as his new Personal Envoy for Sudan.
A UN statement says Mr. Haavisto brings over forty years of experience in politics and international affairs. He held several ministerial positions in the Government of Finland and senior roles with the EU and the UN.
He is currently a member of the Parliament of Finland. The new UN envoy for Sudan has broad experience in mediation and negotiation processes in the Horn of Africa region and in the Middle East. He also has experience with the United Nations. From 2009 to 2017, he served as Special Representative to the Finnish Foreign Minister for mediation and crisis management in Africa.
From 2005 to 2007, Mr. Haavisto served as EU’s Special Representative for the Sudan, taking part in the Darfur peace negotiations. During this time, he also served as a UN Senior Advisor to the Darfur peace process.
Mr. Haavisto worked for the UN Environment Program from 1999 to 2005, including in Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Liberia and Sudan.
Lamamra has failed to advance efforts for the resolution of Sudan’s crisis. Last year, 103 Sudanese figures, including academics, diplomats, human rights defenders and political party leaders, have sent a letter to UN Chief, accusing Lamamra of siding with the Sudan’s army and embracing its political narrative.
The signatories called for sacking the Algerian diplomat and his replacement with a more capable mediator who can engage constructively with all Sudanese factions.
Lamamra’s failure undermined UN’s credibility and obstructed efforts to bridge deep divisions among Sudan’s political and military blocs.
