- The regional bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has named Somali diplomat Nuur Mohamud Sheekh as the official spokesman for the IGAD.
- Mr Sheekh, 51, has an illustrious diplomatic career of three decades and has served as a diplomat, mediator, and campaigner for refugees and humanitarian worker.
The regional bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has named Somali diplomat Nuur Mohamud Sheekh as the official spokesman for the IGAD Secretary-General Workneh Gebeyehu and the eight-member organisation.In a statement issued, Dr Gebeyehu said that the decision to appoint Mr Sheekh was based on his ability to build links between IGAD and other organisations as well as “strengthening collaborations” with member governments.
Mr Sheekh, 51, has an illustrious diplomatic career of three decades and has served as a diplomat, mediator, and campaigner for refugees and humanitarian worker. He has an advanced degree in Conflict and Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies(SOAS) of the University of London. Prior to this appointment, he worked as Senior Advisor at the Office of the Igad Special Envoy for the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Somalia.
IGAD members include Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda. Eritrea that suspended itself in 2007 is still technically a member.
IGAD was launched in 1986, as a regional body to focus on drought resilience and later began tackling general problems of the region including conflict and political stability. Its partners include the African Union, European Union, and the United Nations.
