Council appoints Birgitte Nygaard Markussen as EU Special Representative for the Sahel
Birgitte Nygaard Markussen as the new European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Sahel region. She will take up her duties on 1 September 2026 for an initial mandate of 12 months, until 31 August 2027.
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She succeeds João Cravinho, who has served as the EUSR for the Sahel since November 2024. The EUSR for the Sahel will support the High Representative in implementing the 2025 EU's renewed approach to the region and contribute to promoting lasting peace, security, stability, and sustainable development across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger and the broader region.
The EUSR leads the EU's political dialogue with partners in the Sahel and contributes to the coherence, coordination and visibility of the EU's political, security and development engagement. The EUSR also works closely with the governments of the Sahel, neighbouring countries, regional organisations, the United Nations, the African Union and other international partners to advance the EU's objectives, support conflict prevention and resolution, and strengthen regional cooperation in addressing the complex security, humanitarian and governance challenges facing the region.
Markussen is a Danish diplomat with extensive experience in African affairs and EU external relations, both at Denmark's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European External Action Service (EEAS). Currently, she serves as Denmark's Special Envoy to the Sahel and Great Lakes.
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Between 2016 and 2023, she held several senior positions within the EEAS, most notably as Head of the EU Delegation to the African Union and EU Ambassador to the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Previously, she served as Denmark's Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and the Central Africa Republic, as well as Director for Africa at Denmark's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
EU Special Representatives promote the EU's policies and interests in certain regions and countries as well as issues of particular concern or interest for the EU. They play an active role in efforts to consolidate reforms, stability and the rule of law.
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