The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) is deeply saddened by the demise of disease of his Force Commander, Major General Martin Chomu Tumenta, on Monday.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Central African Republic and Head of MINUSCA, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, pays tribute to the General and commends his commitment and dedication as MINUSCA Force Commander.

Major General Martin Chomu Tumenta, of Cameroon, has been appointed as the Force Commander of MINUSCA on 30 July 2014 by the United Nations Secretary-General. He commenced his appointment mid-September 2014 at the time of the transfer of authority between the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA), under his command, and MINUSCA.

Major General Tumenta had a distinguished career in the Cameroonian Armed Forces Airborne Infantry, which included tenures as Chief of Operations at the Army Headquarters, Commander of the third Joint Task Force Region and Commander of Operations Delta in the Bakassi peninsula. He also held the appointment of Human Resources Director at the Department of Defence.

Born in 1954, Major General Tumenta earned a bachelor’s of military arts and science degree at the Joint Military School in Yaoundé, Cameroon. He attended staff and defence colleges in the United States and France.

MINUSCA sends its deepest condolences to his family and to the Cameroonian authorities.