Newly posted US Ambassador to Djibouti with accreditation to IGAD Cynthia Kierscht has officially commenced her tour of duty.
Ambassador Kierscht presented her letters of credence from US President Joseph Biden to Djibouti’s Ismael Omar Guelleh on October 17, and will serve as the next US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Djibouti.
She succeeds Jonathan Pratt, who completed his tour of duty in May 2023.
On October 20, the envoy met Intergovernmental Authority on Development Executive Secretary Dr Workneh Gebeyehu where they had “productive discussions on deepening our cooperation and advancing our shared goals for peace and development in the region’’.
In her presentation of her credentials to President Guelleh, Ambassador Kierscht affirmed her commitment to promoting American and Djiboutian shared objectives on security, prosperity, and governance.
She also promised to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two states.
According to the US Embassy in Djibouti, Ambassador Kierscht emphasized her commitment to advancing the close relationship between the nations.
“The United States values Djibouti as a vital partner, and I look forward to continuing our close collaboration to promote our mutual prosperity and shared success,” she said.
The statement added that the US is committed to supporting Djibouti in its efforts to enhance regional security through military cooperation and its economic growth through training programs that enhance employment skills and foster trade and investment.
Ambassador Cynthia Kierscht, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister Counsellor, took the oath of office as the US Ambassador to Djibouti on July 12, 2024.
She previously served as the US envoy to Mauritania from 2021-2024 and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Canada, Haiti, and the Caribbean in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA) from 2019-2021.
The envoy also had a stint as Director and Deputy Director in WHA’s Office of Canadian Affairs. From 2011-2016, Kierscht served in Bogotá, Colombia as the Cultural Affairs Officer, the Deputy Management Counsellor, and the Coordinator for the Summit of the Americas. She speaks English, Arabic, French and Spanish.
