Major General Anita Asmah, a seasoned leader in the Ghana Armed Forces and United Nations peacekeeping, has been appointed as the new Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). This announcement was made by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on December 11, 2024.
Taking over from Lieutenant General Nirmal Kumar Thapa of Nepal, Major General Asmah brings 31 years of leadership and command experience to her new role. She has previously served as the Deputy Force Commander of UNDOF from 2021 to 2023 and as Director General in the Department of Defence Civilian Establishment of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Major General Asmah’s extensive peacekeeping experience includes roles as a Staff Officer in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and as a Military Observer in the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC). Within the Ghana Armed Forces, she has held various senior positions such as Director of Education, Deputy Military Secretary, and Course Director at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre.
Educated at the University of Ghana with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law degrees, Major General Asmah is fluent in English and French. Her appointment as the new Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNDOF underscores her dedication to international peacekeeping efforts.
Established in 1974 by Security Council Resolution 350, UNDOF’s mandate includes maintaining the ceasefire between Israel and Syria, supervising the disengagement of Israeli and Syrian forces, and monitoring the areas of separation and limitation as outlined in the May 1974 Agreement on Disengagement.
This appointment highlights Major General Asmah’s commitment to promoting peace and security in the region and her leadership in advancing the goals of the United Nations. Her wealth of experience and expertise make her well-equipped to lead UNDOF in fulfilling its crucial mandate.
