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 Mali
CANDIDATE: Dennis B. Hankins
Dennis B. Hankins, a 33-year Foreign Service veteran, class of Minister-Counselor, is currently the Chief of Mission in the Republic of Guinea, a position he has held since 2015. He has served three times as Deputy Chief of Mission (in Mauritania, Sudan and Mozambique) and once as Principal Officer (in Sao Paulo, Brazil). He is well known for his ability to lead and manage missions in challenging environments. His lengthy service in Africa provides him with deep expertise in the political and economic issues affecting the African region. Mr. Hankins’ skills and experience make him an excellent fit for U.S. security, counterterrorism, and post-conflict challenges in Mali.
Previously, Mr. Hankins served as DCM, U.S. Embassy Khartoum, Sudan (2010-2012), and as DCM, U.S. Embassy Nouakchott, Mauritania (2007-2010). He also served as Deputy Director in the Department of State’s Office of Peacekeeping, Bureau of International Organizations (2005-2007), as Consul General, U.S. Embassy Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (2004-2005) and as DCM, U.S. Embassy Maputo, Mozambique (2001-2004). Before that, he was Political/Economic Counselor, U.S. Embassy Lisbon, Portugal (1999-2001), Political Counselor, U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (1996-1998), Senior Watch Officer in the Department’s Operations Center (1995-1996), and Angola Desk Officer, Bureau of African Affairs (1993-1995). After joining the Department in 1984, Mr. Hankins served as a Refugee Coordinator and Consular officer in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, as Consul in Khartoum, Consular/Refugee Officer for Vietnam in Bangkok, Thailand and as Vice-Consul in Recife, Brazil.
Mr. Hankins earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Georgetown University in 1981 and a Master’s Degree from the National War College in 1999. He is the recipient of numerous Department of State performance awards. He speaks French and Portuguese.