ADDIS ABABA (HORNOB SERVANT) – Mrs Fiona Lortan has been appointed Deputy Special Representative of the President of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) just months after Somalia declared its predecessor Simon Mulongo a persona non by ordering him to leave the country before seven days. In a statement, the African Union Commission for Political Affairs, Peace and Security said that the new AU Special Representative was, until her current appointment, Acting Director of Conflict Management in the Political Affairs Peace and Security Department (PAPS).
Fiona Lortan replaces Simon Mulongo, who was expelled in November 2021 on charges of participating in activities ‘contrary to AMISOM’s mandate and Somalia’s national security’.
AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) Bankole Adeoye stressed the importance of the next few months for AMISOM as the mandate ends on 31 March 2022.
“I would like to thank Mrs Fiona Lortan for accepting the role of deputy to the SRCC during this interim period. Among many other tasks, she will work to help the African Union deliver on everything needed to complete AMISOM and follow up. on ongoing preparations for the mandate, composition, size and structure of a proposed new mission in Somalia, “Ambassador Adeoye explained.
Ms. Lortan, a South African citizen, joined the African Union Commission in May 2002 and has worked in various roles to ensure peace and security around the continent.
She was most recently Acting Director of Conflict Management in the Political Affairs Peace and Security Department (PAPS) and worked diligently at AMISOM.
She has previously worked in Khartoum, Sudan, as a member of the AU High Level Implementation Panel on Sudan and South Sudan, chaired by former South African President Thabo Mbeki.
