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UN chief appoints new special representative for South Sudan

Xinhua, December 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday announced the appointment of David Shearer of New Zealand as his new special representative for South Sudan and Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

In a statement received in Juba, capital of South Sudan, Ban said Shearer will succeed Ellen Margrethe Loj of Denmark, who completes her assignment at the end of November 2016.

"The Secretary-General is grateful for Loj's dedication and excellent leadership of UNMISS over the past two plus years under extremely challenging political, security, humanitarian and human rights circumstances in South Sudan," the statement said.

Currently a member of parliament in New Zealand, Shearer will take up his new position after his resignation as a MP becomes effective on Dec. 31.

Prior to taking up elected office in New Zealand in 2009, Shearer served as the UN Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative, Resident Coordinator, and Humanitarian Coordinator in the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq from 2007 to 2009.

Previously, he held several senior positions with the UN.

He is also the author of numerous publications in the areas of conflict resolution, effective interventions for peace and humanitarian affairs.

South Sudan fell into civil war in December 2013 after a fallout between President Salva Kiir and his sacked deputy Riek Macahr. Tens of thousands have been killed and more than two million displaced since then. Endit