UNITED NATIONS, July 17 (WSH） — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Mr. Guang Cong of China as his new Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa. Mr. Cong will succeed Parfait Onanga-Anyanga of Ghana. The Secretary-General expressed his deep gratitude to Mr. Onanga-Anyanga for his leadership and dedicated service during his tenure.
Extensive UN and Field Experience in Africa
Mr. Cong brings more than 23 years of experience in international affairs, diplomacy, and peace operations. He is currently serving as the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for South Sudan and Deputy Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), where he previously led the Mission’s Civil Affairs Division from 2016 to 2020.
He has held key roles in the United Nations–African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), and served in Jonglei, Blue Nile, and Abyei. He also held senior positions at the UN Special Coordinator’s Office in Lebanon and at the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), where he served from 2002 to 2009.
Before joining the UN, Mr. Cong had a distinguished career at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Shanghai International Studies University and a graduate degree from the China Foreign Affairs University.
Mandate: Peace, Transition, and Regional Coordination
As Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mr. Cong will lead UN efforts to promote peace and security in the region, support Sudan’s transitional process, and advance the peace process in South Sudan. He will also help strengthen conflict prevention, mediation capacities, and promote cross-cutting cooperation on women, youth, and climate issues.
In his new role, Mr. Cong will represent the Secretary-General in high-level engagement with regional actors, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), to foster durable peace and sustainable development across the Horn of Africa.
