UN chief appoints German diplomat as Congo Special Envoygo

NEW YORK CITY (BNO NEWS) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday appointed German diplomat Martin Kobler as his special envoy to the war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), succeeding an American who is set to complete his assignment next month.

Kobler, 60, is currently the UN's special envoy to Iraq and has served as the head of the UN's Assistance Mission there since 2011. He was previously the Deputy Special Representative with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and served more than 25 years in Germany's foreign service before joining the UN.

A statement from the United Nations on Tuesday said Ban had appointed Kobler to become his special envoy to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has been battling an insurgency by M23 rebels for more than a year. Kobler will also serve as the head of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

"Mr. Kobler brings with him a vast experience in shaping international policies in conflict areas with more than 25 years in his country's Foreign Service and as a Senior United Nations Official," the UN said in its statement. Kobler will assume the position next month when American diplomat Roger Meece completes his assignment.

MONUSCO is tasked with supporting the Congolese authorities in their stabilization and peace consolidation efforts, including assisting with the holding of elections, the monitoring of human rights violations and support for Government action against armed groups operating in the east of the country.

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