Mr. Sidikou brings vast experience to his new position, with more than 25 years in his country’s domestic and foreign services, the United Nations and as a senior African Union (AU) official.

He is currently serving as the AU Special Representative for Somalia (SRCC) and Head of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Mr. Sidikou has served in various senior capacities in his Government’s Service since 1976, most recently as Ambassador of Niger to the United States (2011 to 2014).

In 1999, he served as Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic of Niger with ministerial rank and from 1997 to 1999 as Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration. He also served as the Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister and Director for the National Television within the Ministry of Information.

Between 1999 and 2011, Mr. Sidikou worked for the World Bank in Washington, D.C.; for UNICEF in Nigeria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan; and, for Save the Children – UK in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mr. Sidikou holds a PhD in Education from Florida State University. He is married and has two children.

New York, 8 October 2015