New Special Representative of the UN SG in the DR Congo, Martin Kobler, takes up his duties today

13 aoû 2013

New Special Representative of the UN SG in the DR Congo, Martin Kobler, takes up his duties today

Kinshasa, 13 August 2013 – Martin Kobler arrived today at the Headquarters of the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) to assume his duties as the Special Representative for the United Nations Secretary-General in this country. He was welcomed by the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Humanitarian Coordinator, Moustapha Soumaré, who had been acting as the Head of MONUSCO.

The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, announced last June the appointment of Mr. Kobler, from Germany, to succeed Roger Meece of the United States, following the completion of his assignment.

Mr. Kobler was previously the top UN official in Iraq with the UN Assistance Mission there (UNAMI). Prior to that, he served as the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) from 2010 to 2011. He has a broad experience in the elaboration of international policies in conflict zones, which accounts for more than 25 years in his country's foreign service as well as in the United Nations system.

Mr. Kobler holds a Law degree from the University of Bonn. Born in 1953, he is married and has three children.

Penangnini Toure/ MONUSCO