Guyanese Online

Merlin Udho to succeed Kellawan Lall as Ambassador to Brazil

 Stabroek editor On September 28, 2012

Merlin Udho

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today announced that the Government of Brazil has given its approval for  Merlin Udho to be appointed as Ambassador of Guyana to Brazil. She will succeed Kellawan Lall.

Udho had previously served as Ambassador of Guyana to Suriname from November 2009 to February 2012.  A release from the Ministry said that she previously worked as a Consultant in the UN system serving in the Ukraine, Bangladesh and Eastern Europe and as the Coordinator of the National Competitiveness Programme. 

She holds a Masters of Laws degree with specialty in International Law and a post graduate Diploma in Development Studies, the release said.

Lall had been a hugely controversial choice as ambassador to Brasilia. Many had argued that his behaviour here as a minister had been reprehensible and not worthy of representing Guyana in a foreign capital. Lall had had highly publicised incidents in a bar and in an accident that raised questions about his conduct.

Udho’s appointment means that Lall has functioned for just over a year in Brasilia.

Brazil had taken around three months before finally providing Agrément for Lall last year July. After it was provided there were suggestions that Lall’s stint in Brasilia would be brief.

There was no indication in the Ministry’s release as to whether Lall was being reassigned. He had previously functioned as the Minister of Local Government.