Nicholas Haysom, Former UN Somalia Envoy, Dies at 73

Veteran diplomat Nicholas Haysom, former senior UN envoy to Somalia, dies at 73

NEW YORK — Nicholas Haysom, a South African lawyer-diplomat and former senior United Nations envoy to Somalia, has died in New York at the age of 73, officials said.

His most recent post was as the UN Secretary-General’s special representative for South Sudan, culminating a decades-long career that bridged diplomacy, peacebuilding and constitutional law.

Affectionately known as “Fink,” Haysom helped steer South Africa’s transition to democracy, serving as chief legal and constitutional adviser to former president Nelson Mandela from 1994 to 1999.

He later took on prominent regional mediation roles, chairing the committee on constitutional issues during the Burundi peace process under Mandela’s facilitation until 2002, and acting as principal adviser in the Sudan peace process until 2005.

Haysom subsequently held senior UN assignments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia, and served as special envoy for Sudan and for South Sudan. He also headed the UN Mission in South Sudan, his final official post.

In addition, he was director for political, peacebuilding and humanitarian affairs in the Executive Office of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Colleagues and officials paid tribute to Haysom’s long service and his contributions to international diplomacy and conflict resolution.

AXADLETM