Moustapha Soumare has been named deputy special representative of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. He will be in charge of political issues.

Soumare replaces Raisedon Zenenga, who is moving to a position with the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia.

In a release announcing the appointment, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “Soumare brings to the position extensive peace, development and leadership experience.”

He currently serves at the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was previously a senior government official in Mali.