UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Major-General Anita Asmah of Ghana as the Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). This historic appointment makes Maj-Gen Asmah the UN’s first African woman Force Commander.
UNDOF is a United Nations peacekeeping mission tasked with maintaining the ceasefire between Israel and Syria after the 1973 war and supervising the implementation of the disengagement agreement.
“I am happy and wholeheartedly accept this role to serve. I am so in love with the mission and the people. It is an opportunity to lessen their suffering,” Maj-Gen Asmah said in an interview.
Previously serving as Deputy Force Commander of UNDOF from 2021 to 2023, and briefly as Acting Force Commander from July to November 2022, Maj-Gen Asmah highlighted the deep connections she has formed with local communities and UN personnel, as well as her commitment to the mission and its people. She views her role as a new opportunity to further address the challenges facing the host communities.
Acknowledging the region’s geopolitical complexities, harsh terrain, and extreme weather, Maj-Gen Asmah remains optimistic about overcoming these obstacles, relying on diplomacy and strategic leadership to achieve the mission’s objectives. “I am up to the task,” she affirmed.
A strong advocate for gender equality, Maj-Gen Asmah praised the UN Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy (2018–2028) for advancing women’s participation in peacekeeping and called for greater incentives to boost parity. “Only by excelling in our responsibilities can we pave the way for more women to take on command positions and truly transform the landscape of peacekeeping operations,” she said.
Sharing her joy at the news of her appointment, Maj-Gen Asmah recalled the outpouring of congratulatory messages she received, describing the moment as humbling and inspiring. “I quickly checked my phone and saw numerous congratulatory messages,” she recounted, beaming with pride at becoming the first African woman UN Force Commander.
Her appointment has drawn widespread praise. Commodore Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye, former Deputy Force Commander for the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO), hailed it as a significant milestone for gender parity and a step forward for women in peacekeeping. “I feel truly elated,” she said, emphasizing that this achievement highlights Ghana’s commitment to inclusion, particularly in peacekeeping.
Maj-Gen Asmah’s journey is inspiring and a source of national pride. An alumna of Aburi Girls’ Senior High School, she holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law degrees from the University of Ghana and is fluent in English and French. Her illustrious career spans over 31 years in the Ghana Armed Forces and UN Peacekeeping. As she prepares to celebrate her 60th birthday in February 2025, Maj-Gen Asmah embarks on this new chapter with remarkable achievement behind her and ambitious goals ahead.
She succeeds Lieutenant-General Nirmal Kumar Thapa of Nepal, who concludes his term in December 2024 after serving since July 2022.
