Faith Nyasuguta
In a groundbreaking appointment, Major-General Anita Asmah of Ghana has been named Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). This historic move by UN Secretary-General António Guterres makes her the first African woman to hold this prestigious position.
As Head of Mission and Force Commander, Maj-Gen Asmah will oversee UNDOF’s efforts to monitor the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Syria. This includes observing and maintaining buffer zones established under the Agreement on Disengagement. The force’s primary role is to ensure compliance from both sides, reduce tensions, and prevent conflicts from escalating.
UNDOF also supervises disengagement zones, ensuring that military activities within these areas adhere to the terms of the agreement. This mission plays a pivotal role in fostering peace and stability in the region.
Maj-Gen Asmah, who served as Deputy Force Commander of UNDOF from 2021 to 2023 and briefly as Acting Force Commander in 2022, expressed her commitment to her new role. “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,” she stated.
A Trailblazer for Women in Peacekeeping
Maj-Gen Asmah joins a distinguished list of female leaders in United Nations peacekeeping missions. She follows trailblazers like Major General Kristin Lund of Norway, who became the first female Force Commander of a UN peacekeeping mission in 2014.
Her appointment not only highlights her exceptional leadership but also underscores the UN’s commitment to promoting gender equity in global peacekeeping efforts.
Maj-Gen Asmah will succeed Lieutenant-General Nirmal Kumar Thapa of Nepal, who concludes his term in December 2024 after leading UNDOF since July 2022.
Pioneers in Military Leadership
Separately, Major General Fatuma Ahmed of Kenya also made history in May 2024 as the first woman to lead a service branch in the Kenyan Armed Forces. President William Ruto appointed her Commander of the Kenya Air Force, solidifying her reputation as a trailblazer for women in the military.
General Ahmed’s journey has been marked by numerous firsts. She became the first Kenyan woman to achieve the rank of Brigadier in 2015 and later ascended to Major General in 2023. Her military career spans decades, beginning with her enlistment in 1983 in the Women Service Corps and transitioning to the Kenya Air Force in 1999.
Both leaders, Major-General Anita Asmah and Major General Fatuma Ahmed, exemplify the growing presence and influence of women in military leadership roles, inspiring a new generation to pursue opportunities in traditionally male-dominated fields.
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