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Appointment of a new African Union Special Representative for
Somalia
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, July 9, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/
— The Chairpers on of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, today appoin ted Dr. Maman S. Sidikou, a
Nigerien national, as the new African Union (AU) Special
Repr esentative for Somalia (SRCC) and Head of the AU Mission in
Somalia (AMISOM).
This appointment comes at a time when continued progress has been
witnessed in the co nsolidation of peace and the promotion of
reconciliation in Somalia, despite the challenges that continue to
confront the country, as demonstrated by the recent upsurge of
terror ist attacks, particularly in Mogadishu.
Dr Sidikou brings with him a wealth of experience in the political,
diplomatic, communicati on and humanitarian fields. Prior to his
present appointment, Dr Sidikou has been Niger’s Ambassador to the
USA, in Washington D.C. since October 2011. He has served in Niger’s
Government in various senior capacities from 1976, rising to post of
Director of the Nation al Television within the Ministry of
Information, Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister, and Advisor to
the President, with ministerial rank. From 1997 to 1999, he served
as Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration. In
1999, he served as Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic.
Dr Sidikou has also worked for a number of international
organizations and Non-Governme ntal Organizations (NGOs), including USAID, the World Bank, UNICEF and Save the Children.
Dr Sidikou holds a Ph.D from Florida State University, USA, and a
Degree in Journalism fr om the University of Dakar.
The new Special Envoy will assume duty in early August 2014. He will
work closely with th e Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), IGAD and
the countries of the region, as well as with the relevant
international partners, including the United Nations, the European
Union (EU), the League of Arab States and concerned bilateral
partners, to help consolidate the gains made in the peace and
reconciliation process in Somalia, and facilitate the successf ul
holding of the elections planned for 2016. The Chairperson appeals
to the FGS and all AMISOM partners to extend the necessary
cooperation and support to the new Special Representative.
Dr Sidikou replaces Amb Mahamat Saleh Annadif, who served as Special
Representative and Head of AMISOM, from November 2012 to June 2014.
Under his leadership, AMISOM made tremendous strides, in support of
the efforts of the FGS and other stakeholders. The Chairperson of
the Commission seizes this opportunity to pay tribute to Amb Annadif
for his commitment and the results achieved during his tenure. She
extends her best wishes to him in all his endeavors.
SOURCE:African Union Commission (AUC)
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