United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has designated Major General Jawwad Ahmed as the new Force Commander of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). He takes over from Major General Md Fakhrul Ahsan of Bangladesh, whose tenure concluded on August 2.
Major General Ahmed brings over 35 years of leadership and operational expertise from his service in the Pakistan Army and United Nations peacekeeping missions. His appointment underscores Pakistan’s ongoing dedication to supporting global peace initiatives.
During a farewell ceremony at MINURSO headquarters in Laayoune, the mission’s Special Representative and Head, Alexander Ivanko, commended Major General Ahsan for his professionalism, leadership, and significant contributions to the mission.
Throughout his distinguished career, Major General Ahmed has held numerous senior command and staff roles. These include serving as Director General at Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence in Rawalpindi, where he managed command and control as well as local governance and administration of cantonment areas nationwide. He has also been General Officer Commanding of an infantry division, Director General of the Inspection and Evaluation Directorate at General Headquarters, and Force Commander of the Northern Areas.
Other key appointments in his career include brigade commander in both cantonment and high-altitude field environments and Chief Instructor at the National Command and Staff College in Quetta. Earlier, he served with a Pakistani battalion deployed under the United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja, and Western Sirmium in Croatia.
Major General Ahmed holds advanced academic qualifications, including a Master of Science in Art and Science of Warfare and a Master of Philosophy in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management from Pakistan’s National Defence University. Additionally, he earned a postgraduate certificate in Security and Strategy for Global Leaders from King’s College London. Fluent in English and Urdu, he also possesses working knowledge of French.
Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations highlighted that this appointment reflects the country’s steadfast commitment to UN peacekeeping efforts. Pakistan remains dedicated to contributing mission-ready contingents and personnel with extensive peacekeeping experience to support international peace and stability.
