New Joint Special Representative for Darfur

The United Nations finally announced a replacement for departed UNAMID Joint Special Envoy (JSR) Roldophe Adada. As of January 1, 2010, Mr. Ibrahim Gambari will assume the role of JSR for the UNAMID Peacekeeping mission.

Prior to his appointment as JSR, Mr. Gambari served as the Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations (1990-1999), Undersecretary-General and Special Advisor for Africa (2000-2005) and Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs (2005 -2007).

Mr. Gambari has most recently served as the U.N. Envoy to Burma (Myanmar) and has conducted multiple visits since May of 2006. Since his appointment as Envoy, Human Rights Violations in Burma continued to spiral upwards, including the increase in political prisoners and the continued counterinsurgency campaign in eastern Burma.  Mr. Gambari is seen as a troubleshooter within the U.N. system, tackling problems such as Iraq, Myanmar and now Darfur.

- Joshua Kennedy, Research Associate