REPORT FOR THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
UNITED STATES SENATE
SUBJECT: Ambassadorial Nomination: Certificate of Demonstrated Competence — Foreign Service Act, Section 304(a)(4)
POST: Republic of Djibouti
CANDIDATE: Larry Edward André, Jr.
Larry André, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, is the United States Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. There, he has demonstrated excellent leadership skills in guiding his Mission to promote security, prosperity and human rights in a challenging environment. His Ambassadorship, as well as previous stints in senior leadership positions at U.S. Embassies in Sub-Saharan Africa – particularly East Africa – provide him expertise on the challenges and opportunities of the region, a wealth of contacts and deep understanding of the context of U.S. policy goals there. His experience working closely with the U.S. military in East Africa will serve him well in Djibouti, home to the only U.S. military base in Sub-Saharan Africa. These abilities and experience, as well as his fine management, mentoring and communication skills, make him an excellent candidate for the position of U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti.
Previously, Mr. André served as Senior Advisor, Bureau of African Affairs (2013-2014), Director, Office of the Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan (2011-2013) and Deputy Executive Director, Bureau of African Affairs (2010-2011) at the Department of State, Washington, D.C. He was the Deputy Chief of Mission in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (2008-2010), Political Counselor in Nairobi, Kenya (2006-2008), Deputy Director, Office of West African Affairs in Washington, DC (2004-2006), Deputy Chief of Mission in Freetown, Sierra Leone (2002-2004), Regional Environment Officer in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2000-2002), and Management Officer in Conakry, Guinea (1998-2000). He has also served at U.S. missions in Bangladesh, Cameroon, and Nigeria. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he worked with a nongovernmental organization in Chad and served the Peace Corps as a staff member in Washington and a volunteer in Senegal.
Mr. André earned an MBA degree from American Graduate School of International Management and a BA degree from Claremont McKenna College. He is the recipient of more than a dozen notable senior State Department Awards, including the Director General Award for Reporting. He speaks French fluently.