Major Gen Jawwad Qazi appointed UN mission's new force commander in Western Sahara

Pakistan Army Major General Jawwad Ahmed Qazi has been named the new force commander of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (Minurso), according to Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN.

The mission announced the appointment in a post on X, saying UN Secretary-General António Guterres had appointed Major Gen Qazi to lead the mission’s military component.

According to the mission, Major Gen Qazi has more than 35 years of experience in command, operations and UN peacekeeping, with assignments in Pakistan and abroad.

Tweet by Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN

He has held several senior positions in the Pakistan Army, including general officer commanding of an infantry division, force commander in the Northern Areas and director general at the Ministry of Defence. He has also served in command, staff and instructional roles during his career.

Earlier, Major Gen Qazi served with the UN Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium (UNTAES) in Croatia.

The Pakistani mission said the country welcomed the appointment and remained committed to UN peacekeeping and international efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability.

Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, is largely controlled by Morocco and remains one of Africa’s longest-running unresolved territorial disputes.

Morocco has been locked in a conflict with the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the Sahrawi people.