By Jackson Gaaniko
The Secretary-General of the United Nations has appointed Ghanaian diplomat Anita Kiki Gbeho as the new Special Representative to the Secretary-General (SRSG) and the Head of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Ms. Gbeho succeeds Nicholas Haysom of South Africa, whose leadership the UN chief commended for advancing peace and stability in the country during a challenging period.
Her appointment comes at a critical juncture as South Sudan continues to navigate a fragile political transition, delays in implementing the revitalized peace agreement, and persistent humanitarian challenges affecting millions of people.
As head of UNMISS, Ms. Gbeho will oversee peacekeeping operations, support the implementation of the peace process, ensure the protection of civilians, and coordinate international efforts aimed at fostering stability and development.
She brings more than 25 years of experience within the United Nations system, with a strong track record in political affairs, humanitarian coordination, and development work.
Since 2024, Ms. Gbeho has been serving in South Sudan as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General.
In that capacity, she has also held the roles of Humanitarian Coordinator and Resident Coordinator, and has at times acted as Officer-in-Charge of the mission, gaining direct leadership experience in the country.
Prior to her current assignment, she served as Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia from 2021 to 2023, where she played a key role in political engagement and stabilization efforts.
Between 2018 and 2020, she held senior leadership positions in the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, contributing to peacekeeping and conflict resolution efforts in Sudan’s troubled region.
Her earlier career includes serving as Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Namibia, as well as holding several leadership roles with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in New York, Somalia, and South Sudan.
Ms. Gbeho holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences and African Studies from the State University of New York, and a Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of Ghana.