KATHMANDU, Dec 3: Nepal has earned another proud milestone on the global stage, with Nepali Army Lieutenant General Ganesh Kumar Shrestha appointed as the Force Commander of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Abyei—one of the UN’s most sensitive and strategically important deployments. His appointment was confirmed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, marking a moment of national significance for a country long recognised for its distinguished peacekeeping contributions.
Shrestha takes over from Major General Robert Yaw Affram of Ghana, stepping into a role that places him at the helm of international military operations aimed at maintaining stability in the contested Abyei region. His elevation comes just weeks after being promoted to Lieutenant General on October 19, 2025, capping a military career spanning 36 years.
A seasoned peacekeeper, Shrestha previously served as Sector East Commander under the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), where his leadership was widely noted. Within the Nepali Army, he has held several pivotal positions, including Administrative Registrar at Birendra Military Hospital, Chief of the Policy and Planning Directorate at Nepali Army Headquarters, and Commander of the 16th and 9th Brigades.
Shrestha holds a master’s degree in Military Science and Strategic Studies from the International College of Defence Studies at China’s National Defence University—an academic foundation that complements his extensive field experience.
For Nepal, which proudly stands among the world’s top contributors to UN peacekeeping, Shrestha’s appointment is more than an individual accomplishment; it is a national honour that reinforces the country’s reputation for professionalism, discipline and global responsibility.