Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz

Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz

Santos Cruz pictured in 2014
Born June 1, 1952
Rio Grande, Brazil
Allegiance Brazil
United Nations
Years of service 1968-present
Rank Lieutenant General
Commands held MINUSTAH
MONUSCO
Awards Order of Military Merit (Grand Officer)
Order of Naval Merit (Commander)

Lieutenant general Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz is a Brazilian military officer who is currently Force Commander of the United Nations' peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (known by its acronym, MONUSCO). He was appointed to this position by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 17 May 2013.[1]

Biography

A graduate of the Military Academy of Agulhas Negras 1974 Promotion (Resende, Rio de Janeiro) and the Catholic University of Campinas, Santos Cruz has more than 40 years of national and international military experience. He served as Deputy Commander for Land Operations of the Brazilian Army from April 2011 and March 2013. He also served as Special Adviser to the Minister for the Secretariat of Strategic Affairs within the Presidency of Brazil.[2]

Santos Cruz served as Force Commander of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) between January 2007 and April 2009. In April 2013, he received command of United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Santos Cruz commanded MONUSCO during the M23 rebellion and was praised for providing "strong backing" to the UN forces engaged alongside Congolese government forces.[3]

References

  1. "Brazil’s Santos Cruz to head UN’s DR Congo mission". Article. bbc.co.uk. 17 May 2013.
  2. "Secretary-general appoints Lieutenant General Carlos Alberto Dos Santos Cruz of Brazil Force Commander for UN Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo". Article. www.un.org/News/Press. 17 May 2013.
  3. Olivier, Darren. "How M23 was rolled back". African Defence Review. Retrieved 21-04-2015. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

Further Reading

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
José Elito Carvalho Siqueira
Force Commander of MINUSTAH
2007-2009
Succeeded by
Floriano Peixoto Vieira Neto
Preceded by
Chander Prakash
Force Commander of MONUSCO
2013~
Succeeded by
incumbent