United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced on May 10, 2024, the appointment of Ms. Barrie Freeman of the United States as Deputy Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel.

Ms. Freeman, who took office this Monday, June 11, 2024, brings to this position more than 30 years of experience in the field of peace and security. Since 2021, she has served as deputy special representative of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Prior to that, from 2018 to 2021, she served as Deputy Director and Political Director of the Peacebuilding Support Office of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. Ms. Freeman also served as Chief of Staff and Director of Political Affairs of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

Prior to working at the United Nations, Ms. Freeman held leadership positions at the National Democratic Institute in Washington, D.C., and the United States Department of State, where she held several positions in Washington, D.C., United States, and in several African countries, including in West Africa.