The United Nations secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, has appointed Mbaranga Gasarabwe as Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

Gasarabwe, a Rwandan who succeeds American David Gressly, will also serve as UN Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme.

In a statement, the UN said Gasarabwe brings more than 20 years of experience with the UN in development and humanitarian assistance with particular focus on Africa.

From 2001 to 2011, she served as Resident Coordinator- and UNDP Resident Representative in Benin, Djibouti, Guinea and Mali.  She was appointed Assistant Secretary-General in the Department of Safety and Security in 2011, according to the statement.

It is also noted that the secretary-general is very grateful for Gressly’s dedicated service at a critical moment in Mali’s history and during the establishment of MINUSMA’s presence.

Born in 1959, Gasarabwe holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Burundi, as well as a Master’s degree in Management and Business Administration from the Arthur D. Little School of Management, now known as the Hult International Business School, in the United States.