United States appoints Peter Pham Special Envoy for the Sahel region

J. Peter Pham, in 2014. Screenshot from Public Broadcast Service

Text by: Loubna Anaki Follow

The United States has just appointed Peter Pham as the new special envoy for the Sahel region. He was previously responsible for the Great Lakes region and took up his new role just a week ago.

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From our correspondent in New York,

It is a new post specially created to combat the increase in violence linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State organization in the Sahel region.

For the US State Department, the situation is increasingly critical in this area of ​​the continent. " This appointment comes at a crucial time for our partners in the region, " said the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee.

In charge of this new mission, Peter Pham is an experienced and specialized diplomat. Since November 2018, he has already been the United States ' special envoy for the Great Lakes region. Position in which he notably worked a lot on good governance and the fight against corruption.

Peter Pham recently hailed the suspension of the Congolese intelligence chief as the end of a system of impunity. A reaction that had not pleased the former presidential majority. General Delphin Kahimbi was charged with serious violations and was found dead, presumably by hanging, shortly after his suspension.

The appointment of Peter Pham comes as Washington appears to be sending mixed messages about its policy on the continent. During his African tour three weeks ago, Mike Pompeo had affirmed the will of the United States to participate in maintaining security. As the Pentagon plans to withdraw US troops . A position that worries in particular in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger where the security situation is even more fragile in recent months.

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  • United States
  • Sahel

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