By M.A. Egge
The President of the Republic of Somaliland H.E. Musa Bihi Abdi held a farewell meeting on Tuesday with the Special Envoy of the Secretary General of the United Nations Amb. Catriona Laing who is being replaced by Mr. James Swan.
Mr. Swan who occupied the same post before, has been appointed once more in an acting capacity.
The President thanked Amb Laing for the time they worked together and the important activities undertaken between the United Nations and the Republic of Somaliland during the time she was in charge.
Amb. Catriona Laing thanked the president for the good way his government worked with him during his tenure and the responsible way they worked together.
The President was flanked at the meeting by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, who is the Acting Minister, Hon. Rooda Jama Ilmi.
The outgoing official was accompanied by various UN staff officials including Nikolai Rogosaroff, the head of the Hargeisa office, Katherine Brooks, Ahmed Qalinle, Mustafe Khayre and Dahir Mohamed.
Meanwhile, sources add that the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed James Swan as the Acting Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).
According to a statement from the United Nations released on Tuesday night, Mr. Swan will serve as the Special Representative for a temporary period following the departure of Catriona Laing of the United Kingdom.
The Secretary-General reportedly expressed gratitude for her dedicated service in UNSOM and Somalia during a challenging time.