Leila Zerrougui has been appointed head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo(MONUSCO)and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC. The Algerian succeeds Niger's Maman Sidikou, whose mission ends in January 2018.
A legal expert in human rights and the administration of justice, Leila Zerrougui has over 30 years' experience in the fields of the rule of law and the protection of civilians.
From 2012 to 2016, she was Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict. She was also Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC from 2008 to 2012.
Before embarking on her international career, Leila Zerrougui had a long career in Algeria, notably as a member of the Algerian Supreme Court.