Leslie Mbangambi Gumbi

Ambassador Leslie Mbangambi Gumbi was a key ISS staff member during the organisation’s early years when South Africa was transforming from Apartheid to democracy. He joined ISS directly after returning to the country from exile and made a substantial contribution to the organisation. Ambassador Gumbi continued to support ISS’s work throughout his subsequent career at the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation. In February 2012 he joined the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague as Director of International Co-operation and Assistance, where he consistently provided a strong African voice in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation. Ambassador Gumbi’s main professional focus was on peacekeeping, disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control.

Ambassador Gumbi passed away on 11 July 2012.

ISS Press Release