unficyp chief — unficyp chief — Khassim Diagne has been appointed as the new Special Representative and Head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). The announcement was made by government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis on Wednesday, marking a significant leadership change in the ongoing peacekeeping mission that has been in place since 1964.
Diagne, who hails from Senegal, takes over from Colin Stewart and brings a wealth of experience to the role, with over 25 years in international affairs and various senior positions within the United Nations.
Prior to this appointment, he served as the interim UN Coordinator for Development and Humanitarian Affairs in Mali since October 2024. Letymbiotis expressed the Republic of Cyprus’s eagerness to collaborate closely with Diagne within the framework of the United Nations mission in Cyprus.
“The Republic of Cyprus welcomes the appointment of Mr Diagne and looks forward to close and constructive cooperation with him,” stated Letymbiotis during a media briefing at the Presidential Palace.
The decision, announced by the UN Secretary-General on 3 September 2025, comes amid ongoing efforts to maintain peace on the island, which has been divided since the Turkish invasion in 1974. UNFICYP plays a crucial role in monitoring the buffer zone between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot areas, striving to uphold stability in a region that has seen decades of tension.
In related news, Letymbiotis mentioned that the visit of UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy for Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín, has been rescheduled to take place before the President of the Republic travels to New York. Further details about her arrival and meetings in Cyprus will be communicated through official UN announcements.
