Mr. Annadif Khatir Mahamat Saleh, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel 

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced on 26 March the appointment of Annadif Khatir Mahamat Saleh of Chad as his new Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, (UNOWAS)

Mr. Annadif Mahamat Saleh succeeds Mohamed Ibn Chambas of Ghana who ended his assignment on 07 April 2021 after serving UNOWAS with dedication and professionalism for six years.

The newly appointed Head of UNOWAS has an extensive national and international experience having taken part in several peace processes in Africa, including in Niger, the Central African Republic and Sudan.  Before taking over his new assignment, Mr. Annadif Mahamat Saleh has served as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Mali and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) since 2015. He was also the African Union Special Representative and Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) (2012-2014) and served in Chad as Minister of Foreign Affairs (1997-2003), Chief of Staff to the President (2004-2006) and Secretary-General to the Presidency (2010-2012).  He also served as Permanent Representative of the African Union Commission to the European Union (2006-2010). 

Mr. Annadif Mahamat Saleh will take office next Monday 26 April.

In the meantime, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General foe West Afrcia and the Sahel, Ms Giovanie Biha, will be the Officer in Charge of UNOWAS.