Most recently, Swan served as the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia (2019-2022) with broad oversight of more than 20 UN agencies operating in the country. He led international support for improved relations between the central government and federal member states, for a peaceful conclusion to the 2022 elections, and for increased security operations against the al-Shabaab terrorist group.
Swan joined the UN after a three-decade career with the U.S. State Department. His final assignment was as Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2013-2016). He guided the Embassy during a period of intense U.S. diplomacy to degrade rebel forces, expand stabilization programs, and promote a political settlement to avert conflict at the end of the DRC President's constitutional mandate.
As U.S. Special Representative for Somalia (2011-2013) Swan worked with international partners to support Somalis to recapture large areas of the country from al-Shabaab and organize the 2012 elections and a peaceful transfer of power. This progress led the U.S. to recognize a Somali government for the first time 20 years.
As Ambassador to Djibouti (2008-2011) Swan led a significant increase in U.S. military cooperation with Djibouti (which hosts the largest U.S. military base in Africa) while also expanding U.S. support to the health, education, and governance sectors.
Swan also held senior headquarters positions at the State Department, including as Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs (2006-2008) with responsibility for U.S. policies and programs in 23 central and east African countries.
Earlier in his career, Swan served in a variety of Foreign Service positions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Congo, Somalia, Cameroon, Nicaragua, and Haiti, and in Washington as Director of African Analysis in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research and Desk Officer for Zaire/Congo. He began his work in the public sector at the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education.
After retiring from the U.S. Government in 2016, Swan formed Cygnet Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in business opportunities in Africa. In 2018-2019 he also worked as a Senior Advisor on Africa at the Albright Stonebridge Group.
Swan holds a B.Sc. degree from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, an M.A. from Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, and a Master's in Security Studies from the National War College