Ban Names New Head For UN Mission In Chad And Central African Republic
New York, Mar 31 2010 5:10PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today named a veteran United Nations official as his Acting
Special Representative for the UN Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT), which was set up over two
years ago amid increasing unrest, partly due to the war in neighbouring Sudan’s Darfur region.
Youssef Mahmoud, a Tunisian national who joined the UN in 1981, replaces Victor Angelo who retired this month. He has
already been in Chad for over a week discussing the Mission’s future after the African country called for the withdrawal
of its military component, saying it had served its purpose and it was better for Chadian forces to take over security
responsibilities.
Earlier this month the Security Council extended MINURCAT’s mandate through 15 May, with Under-Secretary-General for
Peacekeeping Operations Alain Le Roy saying this technical roll-over would “give some time to try to find agreement with
the Chadian authorities.”
MINURCAT was set up in 2007 to ensure the security of hundreds of thousands of refugees from Darfur, other displaced
persons and humanitarian workers in both countries.
Last month Chadian Permanent Representative Ahmad Allam-mi told a news conference at UN Headquarters in New York that
that the military component had served its purpose. With new agreements on border security with Sudan, and with MINURCAT
not strong enough to provide complete security in eastern Chad, he said, it was better for Chadian forces to take over
and for the mandate to be adjusted.
The mission currently comprises nearly 4,000 uniformed personnel and 430 international civilian staff, 500 local
civilians and 143 UN Volunteers. Its mandate calls for it to liaise with the national forces to create a more secure
environment, combating in particular the problems of banditry and criminality; and to support efforts to relocate
refugee camps which are close to the border.
In the humanitarian field, it is entrusted with promoting human rights, with particular attention to sexual and
gender-based violence, recommending action to fight impunity, and assisting the Government in promoting the rule of law,
including support for an independent judiciary and a strengthened legal system.
Before his arrival in Chad, Mr. Mahmoud served for three years as Executive Representative of the Secretary-General and
Head of the UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB). He has held several high profile positions, including UN Resident
Coordinator in Guyana and Director in the Department of Political Affairs (DPA). He has also held posts with the UN
Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) and Office of Human Resources and Management (OHRM) in New York.
ENDS