Ban names humanitarian coordinator in Syria as new Deputy Special Representative for Liberia

27 June 2016 – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Yacoub El Hillo of Sudan as his Deputy Special Representative in the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), succeeding Antonio Vigilante of Italy, who concluded his assignment on 15 June 2016.

According to an information note provided by the Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Mr. El Hillo, who will also serve as the UN Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Liberia, brings to the position a wealth of experience in the field and at United Nations Headquarters.

Since August 2013, the note continued, Mr. El Hillo has served as the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, as well as UNDP Resident Representative, in the Syrian Arab Republic, based in Damascus.

Prior to his assignment in Syria, the UN official served as Director for the Middle East and North Africa in the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva, a position he had held since November 2010.