Joseph Legwaila
Encyclopedia
Joseph Manson John Legwaila (born 2 February 1937) is a diplomat and politician from Botswana
. Legwaila studied politics, history and international relations at the University of Alberta
in Canada
and taught there for a time. He was Vice-President of the UN General Assembly for three sessions in total (1981, 1987 and 1991). He has represented Botswana in the Security Council
and presided for one month during 1995, as President. He has further held a number of diplomatic functions for Botswana in the Americas. Amongst these was as Ambassador to Cuba
(1981-2001) and as Consul General in Jamaica
(1982-2001). He worked on several missions of the UN in Africa
. Legewaila has led the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea
(UNMEE) since September 29, 2000 as a particular agent of the Secretary-General in Eritrea
and Ethiopia
. Legwaila is married and has three children.
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
. Legwaila studied politics, history and international relations at the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and taught there for a time. He was Vice-President of the UN General Assembly for three sessions in total (1981, 1987 and 1991). He has represented Botswana in the Security Council
United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
and presided for one month during 1995, as President. He has further held a number of diplomatic functions for Botswana in the Americas. Amongst these was as Ambassador to Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
(1981-2001) and as Consul General in Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
(1982-2001). He worked on several missions of the UN in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. Legewaila has led the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea
United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea
The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea was established by the United Nations Security Council in July 2000 to monitor a ceasefire in the border war that began in 1998 between Ethiopia and Eritrea....
(UNMEE) since September 29, 2000 as a particular agent of the Secretary-General in Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
and Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
. Legwaila is married and has three children.