UN names new envoy for West Africa

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Friday appointed Mohammed Ibn Chambas of Ghana as his special representative and head of the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA).

Chambas will succeed Said Djinnit of Algeria to whom the secretary general is grateful for his dedication and effective leadership at UNOWA, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a press briefing, Xinhua reported.

"Chambas brings to the position extensive experience in both international and governmental forums, most recently as the African Union-United Nations joint special representative for Darfur and head of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) since December 20, 2012," the spokesperson said.

From 2010 to 2012, Chambas was secretary general of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States. Prior to that, he served as president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) from 2006 to 2009 and executive secretary from 2002 to 2005.

A former member of parliament of Ghana, Chambas served as deputy foreign secretary of Ghana in 1987 and deputy minister for education in charge of tertiary education from 1997 to 2000. Between 1991 and 1996, he was involved in ECOWAS mediation efforts in Liberia.

Born in 1950, Chambas holds a Bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Ghana. He also has a Master's degree and a PhD from Cornell University, as well as a law degree from Case Western Reserve University, both institutions in the US.