Haysom named new UN special representative

KABUL (Pajhwok): Nicholas Haysom has been appointed as United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s special representative, replacing Ján Kubiš, an official said on Thursday.

Haysom, a South African citizen, currently serves as one of the UN chief’s deputy special representatives for Afghanistan, a position he took up in 2012.

Ban’s spokesperson told reporters in New York Haysom would succeed Kubiš, whom the secretary-general thanked for his dedication and leadership of UNAMA.

A lawyer with a long international career focused on democratic governance, constitutional and electoral reforms and reconciliation, Haysom has held several positions with the world body.

He has served as director for political, peacekeeping and humanitarian affairs in the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General and head of the Office of Constitutional Support for the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq.

His previous service includes work with the government of South Africa, where he was the chief legal and constitutional adviser in the office of then president Nelson Mandela.

Haysom was also the chair of the committee negotiating constitutional issues in the Burundi peace talks, and the principal adviser to the mediator in the Sudanese peace process.

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