United Nations Secretary-General AntΓ³nio Guterres announced on April 10, 2026, the appointment of Anita Kiki Gbeho of Ghana as his Special Representative for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The appointment places Gbeho at the helm of one of the UN's largest and most complex peacekeeping operations.
Anita Kiki Gbeho brings extensive experience in diplomacy and international affairs to the role. She has previously held senior positions within African regional organizations and the broader international community, making her a seasoned figure in conflict resolution and peace-building efforts on the African continent.
UNMISS was established in 2011 following South Sudan's independence and has since played a critical role in supporting peace, protecting civilians, and facilitating humanitarian assistance in the country. South Sudan continues to face significant political instability, intercommunal violence, and a humanitarian crisis affecting millions of people.
Gbeho succeeds previous leadership of the mission at a particularly sensitive time, as South Sudan's fragile peace process under the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) faces ongoing implementation challenges. Her appointment is expected to bring renewed diplomatic engagement to support the country's transition toward stability and democratic governance.
