[allAfrica.com]  [Africa_2005]


UNMIL F.C. Ends Tenure - As Spokesman Already Quits

The NEWS (Monrovia)
NEWS
December 1, 2005
Posted to the web December 1, 2005

By Jimmey C. Fahngon

The Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL),
Lieutenant General Joseph Owonibi is expected to leave the Mission in December
2005.
According to Mr. Russell Geekie, Head of the Mission's Media Monitoring and
Developmental Unit, Gen. Owonibi has completed his tenure of duty in Liberia
and as such, he has to leave.
Mr. Geekie made the disclosure Wednesday at UNMIL's regular press briefing in
Monrovia.
The UNMIL Media Monitoring and Developmental Unit Head however failed to say
whether Gen. Owonibi will be taking up another UN assignment or retiring from
the UN.
He disclosed that the name of Lt. Gen. Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor who is also a
Nigerian, has been forwarded to the Security Council for possible approval to
replace the Mission's outgoing Force Commander.
Gen. Owonibi became the Force Commander of UNMIL early January 2005 after the
departure of his predecessor Lt. Gen. Daniel Opandi, a Kenyan national.
Prior to his preferment, he was the Deputy Force Commander of UNMIL that
peacefully disarmed over 100,000 ex-combatants in the country.
In a related development, UNMIL's Chief Spokesman, Mr. Paul Risley has quitted
the Mission.
According to Mr. Geekie, Mr. Risley has taken up a new assignment with the
World Food Programme in Thailand. He has been appointed as the WFP Regional
Communication Advisor in that part of the World.

   

  =============================================================================
   Copyright © 2005 The NEWS. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica
                         Global Media (allAfrica.com).
  =============================================================================