Afghanistan Peace CampaignGeorgette Gagnon also has prior experience working in Afghanistan. From 2010 to 2015, she was the Director of Human Rights at UNAMA in Kabul.
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Canadian Georgette Gagnon as the Deputy Special Representative (Political) for Afghanistan in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, announced in a press briefing that Georgette Gagnon, with over 28 years of experience working in peace, human rights, humanitarian assistance, and development sectors in conflict-affected countries, has replaced Markus Potzel.
Dujarric told reporters: “United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Georgette Gagnon of Canada as his new Deputy Special Representative (Political) for Afghanistan in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Ms. Gagnon succeeds Markus Potzel of Germany, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for his dedicated service in support of the mandate of the mission. Ms. Gagnon brings to the position more than 28 years of experience in supporting peacebuilding processes and leading strategic initiatives on human rights, humanitarian action and development in conflict and post-conflict settings. Since 2021, Ms. Gagnon has served as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya in the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya.”
Georgette Gagnon also has prior experience working in Afghanistan. From 2010 to 2015, she was the Director of Human Rights at UNAMA in Kabul. In 2021, Gagnon was appointed as the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya.
Moeen Gul Samkanai, a political analyst, commented on Georgette Gagnon’s appointment: “She [Georgette Gagnon] has rich experience working in various sectors and experience in Afghanistan. I believe in the current circumstances, she will be effective for women’s rights.”
“The Islamic Emirate has not commented on the appointment of the political deputy of UNAMA; however, it has requested that UNAMA play its role in fostering positive interactions between Afghanistan and the world,” said Edris Mohammadi Zazai, another political analyst.
Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, said: “We want UNAMA’s activities in Afghanistan to be effective, and for this organization to assert its role in Afghanistan’s relations with world countries.”
Markus Potzel of Germany, with over 27 years of experience in diplomacy and international cooperation, and eight years of working experience in Afghanistan, was appointed as the Political Deputy of UNAMA by the UN Secretary-General in June 2022.