Margaret Vogt
Margaret Vogt (May 26, 1950 – September 23, 2014), a native of Nigeria, served as Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) until mid-2013. She was appointed to this position by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on May 19, 2011.
A veteran diplomat and scholar on Africa issues, Vogt held a number of high-ranking positions within the United Nations. Prior to her appointment with BINUCA, she was Deputy Director of the Africa I Division in the Department of Political Affairs at the United Nations Secretariat. She also worked as Acting Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General at the United Nations Political Office for Somalia.
Besides the United Nations, she collected extensive experience in various high-ranking posts. She worked as Director of the Office of the African Union Commission Chairperson in the African Union. She was also one of the key scholars in the conceptualization and facilitation of the adoption of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Organisation of African Unity (OAU) mechanisms for peace and conflict management. Additionally, she had advised the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs at the United Nations, expanding the relationship between the United Nations and the African Union.
Additionally, she served as the Director of the Africa Programme at the International Peace Academy, as an Associate Research Professor at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, as the Director of Studies at the Command and Staff College, Jaji, Nigeria, and as a lecturer at the Nigerian War College and the Institute for Strategic Studies, Kuru, Nigeria.
Proficient in English and French, and having written and published several books and articles in academic journals, Vogt obtained her master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University.
She is survived by her husband and six children.
References
- "Secretary-General Appoints Margaret Vogt of Nigeria as Special Representative to Central African Republic and Head of UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office" (Press release). United Nations. May 19, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- "IPI Remembers Margaret Vogt" (Press release). International Peace Institute. September 25, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2014.