The Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNSOM, James Swan, landed in Mogadishu to bolster stabilization efforts. His main focus is to assist the Somali government and its people in advancing peace, security, development, and state-building priorities.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Swan on May 14. Before arriving in Mogadishu, Swan had detailed meetings with UN headquarters leadership. He previously served as the special representative for Somalia and head of UNSOM from 2019 to 2022, following an extensive career in the US diplomatic service.
Swan held roles such as deputy assistant secretary of state for African affairs and director of African analysis in the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research. Before these positions, he had various assignments in countries like Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo, Somalia, Cameroon, Nicaragua, and Haiti.
Somalia officially asked the UN to end the mandate of UNSOM in the country after careful consideration of its strategic priorities. Foreign Minister Ahmed Fiqi stated that the Somali government will not request a renewal of resolution 2705 (2023).
