H.E. Ambassador Maman Sambo Sidikou

Maman S. SIDIKOU, a Nigerien (Niger) citizen, was appointed in May 2021 as High Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission for Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL) and Head of Mission. He officially took office on August 6, 2021 in Bamako.

Previously, he assumed since February 2018, the functions of Executive Secretary of G5 SAHEL, a sub-regional organization created by five states (Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Chad) to coordinate their response to the challenges of terrorism, organized crime and climate change, while also acting together in the areas of humanitarian and sustainable development.

Maman SIDIKOU has a rich experience of more than 35 years in the service of the senior administration and diplomacy of Niger, the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) where he was entrusted with several leadership positions.

In Niger, Mr. SIDIKOU was Director of Cabinet of the Head of State with the rank of Minister (1999), Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration (1997-1999) and Ambassador to the United States of America (2011-2014). He was also Director of the Cabinet of the Prime Minister and Director of the National Television.

On the continental level, he served as Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission (RSPC) in Somalia and Head of the AU Mission (AMISOM) from 2014 to 2015. His mission was to coordinate the AU's efforts in the fight against Al-Shabab and in the restoration of the state.

Subsequently, Mr. SIDIKOU was appointed by the UN Secretary General as Special Representative (SRSG) and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). From 2015 to 2018, his responsibilities included contributing to the holding of presidential elections (initially postponed), resulting in the first peaceful transfer of power in the DRC.

In addition, from 1999 to 2011, Mr. SIDIKOU worked for the World Bank (in Washington DC), UNICEF (in Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Jordan), and Save The Children - UK (in Rwanda and DRC).

PhD in Education from Florida State University in the United States of America and a Master's Degree in Communication from the University of Texas, Mr. SIDIKOU speaks English, French and Spanish, as well as several African languages, including Hausa and Djerma-Songhay.

He is married and has two children.