Major General Ganesh Kumar Shrestha of Nepal assumed leadership of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) as Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander on 25 January 2026, following his appointment by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres on 2 December 2025.
He succeeds Major General Robert Yaw Affram of Ghana, who led the mission for one and a half years.
According to a press release extended to Radio Tamazuj, during his first week in office, the Ag. Head of Mission and Force Commander conducted operational visits across the mission Area of Operation and engaged with troops in sectors Center, North, and South. He was briefed on ongoing activities, operational readiness, and key issues in the Area of Operation. Major General Shrestha stressed the importance of achieving peace and security in Abyei and strengthening ties with authorities in Sudan and South Sudan, as well as local leaders in Abyei, to address issues affecting the Abyei area and mandate delivery.
“My priority is to ensure that we deliver on our mandate. Every task we undertake — whether substantive or support-related, by military, police, or civilian personnel — must be anchored to the mandate,” he said. “UNISFA has a special responsibility in this region, and its success depends on operating as a unified Mission. As we progress, I want to assure you that I will collaborate closely with all the key interlocutors to ensure the protection of civilians and fulfilment of the mandate.”
UNISFA said that in the coming period, Gen. Kumar will have engagements with authorities in South Sudan and Sudan and relevant stakeholders in Abyei.
Major General Ganesh Kumar Shrestha brings 36 years of distinguished military service in the Nepali Army and extensive UN Peacekeeping experience. Before his appointment, he recently served as the Assistant Chief of the Army Staff at the Nepali Army Headquarters, having previously held several senior leadership positions at the Army Headquarters including Master General of Ordnance, Division Commander of the Far Western Division, Administrative Register of Shree Birendra Military Hospital, Director of Policy and Plans, and Brigade Commander of the No 16 and No 9 Brigade HQs.
His peacekeeping experience includes serving as Sector Commander for Sector East in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Assistant Operations Officer UNPROFOR in Croatia, Military Observer with MONUC in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and UNSOM in Somalia. He holds a Master’s degree in military science and strategic studies from the International College of Defence Studies, National Defence University, China. He also earned a Master’s degree in economics and a bachelor’s degree in humanities and social sciences from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu.