The newly appointed DSRSG for Political Affairs for Sudan Jasbir Singh Lidder of India has arrived in Khartoum yesterday to assume his responsibilities with UNMIS. Mr. Lidder's appointment to head the mission's substantive sections was announced last December by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Mr. Lidder brings to the position extensive experience on the ground in Sudan, in addition to a long and distinguished career with the Indian military, serving most recently as Commandant of an elite infantry school. Prior to that, he served for more than two years as Force Commander of the United Nation Mission to the Sudan (UNMIS), where he facilitated the relationship between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA).
He also assisted in conflict-resolution activities and the protection of civilians, and played a major role in the transition from the African Union Mission to the Sudan (AMIS) to the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). In the mid-1990s, he served as Chief of Staff in the military component of the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ).
During his military service, Mr. Lidder held a number of important operational, command and staff positions, including Additional Director General of Military Operations in the Indian Army, General Commanding Officer of a division and Brigade Commander.
Mr. Lidder attended the National Defence Academy, as well as the Army War College, in India. He has a master's degree in philosophy in defence studies and management and another in defence and strategic studies.
Born in India in 1949, he is married and has two children.
For further information, contact Ashraf Eissa, UNMIS Spokesperson. Phone: + (249) 912 39 22 70. Email: eissaa@un.org or Kouider Zerrouk. Phone: + (249) 912 39 65 39. Email: Zerrouk@un.org