Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Africa and Head of UN Regional Office for Central Africa, Gabon (2014-2016). He also served as Special Deputy Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) (2013-2014), as Minister of State in the Office of the President, in charge of African Affairs, Senegal (2012-2013), and Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly (Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security) Senegal (2001-2006). He was also a Tenured Professor of History at the University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal (1975-2013). He holds a PhD in Humanities from the University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, and a PhD in History from the University of Birmingham, UK.