Tanzanian general appointed military chief of African Union

 Established in July 2007, the United Nations-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), has civilian protection as its core mandate, but is also tasked with contributing to security for humanitarian assistance, monitoring and verifying implementation of agreements and assisting with an inclusive political process, among other responsibilities.

   Mella will replace Lieutenant General Patrick Nyamvumba of Rwanda, who completed his assignment on 31 March.

“The Secretary-General would like to take this opportunity to express his deep appreciation to Lieutenant General Nyamvumba for his dedication and invaluable service during his tenure in UNAMID,” a UN spokesperson said in a statement.

Mella has a long and distinguished career with the Tanzanian military. Most recently, he served as Chief of Defence Intelligence Organization in Dar es Salaam. Prior to this, he held a number of important operational, command and staff positions, including as Director of Foreign Intelligence in the Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Forces, Commanding Officer of an Infantry Battalion in the UN Mission in Liberia, and Defence Adviser at the Tanzania High Commission in Uganda.