The West African nation of Senegal sent a new ambassador to Washington this summer. Cheikh Niang was appointed to the post as of June 12, and presented his credentials to President Barack Obama on July 30. He succeeded Fatou Danielle Diagne, who served as Senegal’s ambassador to the U.S. starting in March 2010. Niang is serving concurrently as Senegal’s ambassador to Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Panama, and Costa Rica.

A career diplomat, Niang was an English teacher at Senegal’s National School of Administration and Magistracy before joining his country’s diplomatic corps 20 years ago. He served as a spokesman for the Organization of African Unity during the 1990s and then as minister counselor at Senegal’s Mission to the United Nations in New York during the next decade. Other highlights of his diplomatic career include service as consul general in New York from 2007 to 2010 and as ambassador of Senegal to South Africa from 2010 to 2012. Niang has also served as diplomatic adviser to the President of Senegal.

He is married to Aisatta Sall Niang.

-Matt Bewig

Entretien avec Son Excellence Cheikh Niang Ambassadeur du Senegal aux USA (Interview with His Excellency Ambassador of Senegal Cheikh Niang) (by Cheikh Tidiane Mbengue, Sud Quotidien)