Mogadishu – The Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of the UN Assistance Mission for Somalia (UNSOM), James Swan, arrived in Mogadishu today.

Mr. Swan’s focus will be to support the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali people to advance their peace, security, development and state-building priorities. 

UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced his designation of Mr. Swan on 14 May. Mr. Swan then held extensive meetings with UN Headquarters leadership prior to his arrival in Mogadishu.

Mr. Swan previously served as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia and Head of UNSOM from 2019 to 2022, after a long career in the United States diplomatic service.