NY (SD) – The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed James Swan as the Acting Special Representative for Somalia on Tuesday. Swan will also lead the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

James Swan is temporarily filling the position following the exit of Catriona Laing.

The UN Secretary-General expressed gratitude to Catriona Laing for her work at UNSOM and her efforts in Somalia during this challenging period.

James Swan is a seasoned diplomat and has previously served as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia from 2019 to 2022.

Before this, he was the U.S. Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2013 to 2016, and he was the Special Representative for Somalia for the U.S. government from 2011 to 2013.

James Swan has held various roles within the U.S. State Department, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 2006 to 2008.