Gabonese diplomat Parfait Onanga-Anyanga has been appointed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as the interim head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA). He succeeds Abdou Abarry of Niger, whose three-year term at the head of the Libreville-based institution has come to an end.
Onanga-Anyanga, who has served as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union since February 2022, brings nearly 30 years of experience at the national, regional, and international levels to this role. He joined the United Nations system 28 years ago.
Prior to his appointment to the African Union, Onanga-Anyanga held several leadership positions within the UN, including heading the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (Minusca) and the United Nations Office for the Horn of Africa based in Kenya. Between 2012 and 2014, he also led the UN mission in Burundi during a period of high political tension. His experience includes coordinating the United Nations response to the Boko Haram crisis in the Lake Chad Basin region.
As head of UNOCA, Onanga-Anyanga will be responsible for monitoring the political and security situation in eleven Central African states, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic, which face significant challenges in terms of stability and governance. His field experience and in-depth knowledge of regional issues will be valuable assets in carrying out this mission.
