By: Latifa Yusuf Masai
Somalilandsun – The UN Special representative and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission –UNSOM in Somalia Amb Nicholas Kay has extended congratulations to newly appointed Somaliland Foreign Minister Mohamed Younis Bihi
The congratulatory posted by Amb Kay in his twitter read “Welcome and congratulations to Mohamed Younis in #Somaliland, a friend and colleague from #Sudan. Look forward to working together again”
An earlier tweet by the Amb in which he informed of his meeting with the Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Dr Kani Torun, and great discussion undertaken with the UNSOM chief promising the full support of UN during talks between Somaliland and Somalia expected to resume next in Ankara, Turkey.
Minister Younis who was appointed 2 days ago after a major cabinet reshuffle by president Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo served as the Deputy Joint Special Representative for Operations and Management in the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), after appointment In September 2009 by Ban Ki Moon to replace Mr. Hocine Medili of Algeria
Apart from his service at UNAMID where he rubbed shoulders with Amb Kay, the new somalialand foreign minister also served as Chief Administrative Officer with the United Nations Truce Supervisi
on Organization (UNTSO) from 2002 to 2006 and the Chief Administrative Officer in the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) from 2001 to 2002.
Prior to service in peacekeeping, he worked for the African Development Bank in Côte d’Ivoire in various senior positions, including the Director and Management Adviser to the President of the Bank and the Deputy Director of Human Resources Management.
