UN chief appoints Chaloka Beyani as special adviser on prevention of genocide

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday announced the appointment of Chaloka Beyani of Zambia as the new special adviser on the prevention of genocide.

According to a statement issued by the UN spokesperson's office, Beyani will replace Alice Wairimu Nderitu of Kenya, with Guterres expressing gratitude for her service.

The statement also noted appreciation to Virginia Gamba and Pramila Patten, who have been serving as acting special advisers. Patten will continue in the role until Beyani assumes his position.

Beyani is currently an associate professor of international law at the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he has taught since 1996.

He previously served as the UN special rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons from 2010 to 2016. He was a member of several high-level UN, African Union, and European Union expert groups on human rights and governance.