The United Nations has appointed Ghanaian diplomat Anita Kiki Gbeho as its new Special Representative for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
The announcement was made by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a press statement, in which he praised Ms Gbeho’s broad experience in political, humanitarian, and development roles within the UN system. She succeeds the late Nicholas Haysom, whose tenure was widely recognised for advancing peacebuilding efforts in the conflict-affected nation.
Ms Gbeho brings over 25 years of experience working in complex and high-risk environments, including conflict and post-conflict regions across Africa and other parts of the world. Throughout her career, she has contributed to UN operations in countries such as Somalia, Sudan, Iraq, and Cambodia, establishing herself as a seasoned expert in diplomacy and crisis management.
Before this appointment, she served as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in South Sudan, while also acting as Humanitarian Coordinator and Resident Coordinator. In these roles, she played a key part in coordinating humanitarian interventions and development programmes, and occasionally served as Officer-in-Charge of the mission.
Her earlier roles include senior leadership positions with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia and the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, where she supported stabilisation and peacekeeping initiatives. She has also worked with the United Nations Development Programme in Namibia and held various roles within the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Ms Gbeho holds academic qualifications from the University of Ghana and the State University of New York, where she studied social sciences and international relations.
Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment for South Sudan, as the United Nations continues to play a key role in peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and political stabilisation efforts. As head of UNMISS, she is expected to lead initiatives aimed at preserving fragile peace and promoting long-term recovery.
The development also highlights Ghana’s ongoing contribution to global diplomacy and peacekeeping, with Ms Gbeho joining a distinguished group of nationals who have held prominent positions on the international stage.
