Nepal UK
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New York - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Lieutenant General Ganesh Kumar Shrestha of Nepal Army as new Force Commander in the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
Lieutenant General Shrestha succeeds Major General Robert Yaw Affram of Ghana, a statement issued from the UNSG’s office said.
Lieutenant General Shrestha brings 36 years of military service encompassing leadership positions in the Nepalese Army such as Division Commander of the Far Western Division, as well as United Nations peacekeeping experience including Sector Commander for Sector East in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Most recently, Lieutenant General Shrestha has been Master General of Ordnance in the Nepalese Army Headquarters.
He has also served as Adjutant General in the Nepalese Army Headquarters. Prior to that he was Administrative Registrar of Shree Birendra Military Hospital, Director of Policy and Plans at the Nepalese Army Headquarters, and Brigade Commander of the 16 and 9 Brigades.
Lieutenant General Shrestha holds a master’s degree in military science and strategic studies from the International College of Defence Studies, National Defence University, China.
On 27 June 2011, the Security Council authorized the deployment of a peacekeeping force to the disputed Abyei Area, which straddles northern and southern Sudan and has been claimed by both sides.
The Council’s action came in response to the renewed violence, escalating tensions and population displacement in the Abyei region as Southern Sudan was preparing to formally declare its independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011.
With the Security Council’s mandate, the UNISFA is still conducting peacekeeping operations in the region.
