Nairobi – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Office for the East and Horn of Africa has welcomed the Director General’s appointment of Mr. Mohammed Abdiker as the Regional Director.

Mr. Abdiker will spearhead IOM’s formulation, promotion and implementation of strategic responses to migration issues and trends in support of Member States and migrants in the region. IOM’s Regional Office for the East and Horn of Africa covers Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Mr. Abdiker brings a wealth of experience to the East and Horn of Africa Region, with over 19 years of experience on a range of migration issues in crisis and post crisis settings. Prior to joining the Regional Office, Mr. Abdiker led IOM’s world-wide response to migration crises as the Director of Operations and Emergencies at IOM’s Headquarters in Geneva for nine years. Under his leadership, IOM’s programmes, covering humanitarian, transition and recovery, and resettlement portfolios, as well as support for land, property and reparations and other dimensions of transitional justice, grew both in scope and reach.

“After nine years working in Geneva, I’m more than delighted to return to the region. The region has a bright future. While it is faced with migration challenges, it also has great opportunities,” Mr. Abdiker said.

He added: “Building on the efforts already made, I look forward to a robust engagement with governments, continental and regional bodies such as the African Union, IGAD and the EAC to garner political support and work within the existing migration related frameworks to address migration challenges in the region. This will ensure we build on the nexus between humanitarian, development and peace in dealing with migration challenges and realizing its potential.”

On his first day in office, Mr. Abdiker briefed and discussed migration issues in the region with newly appointed Kenyan Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consuls-General at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kenya and the Foreign Service Academy. The discussions centred on irregular migration and Diaspora matters. On 8 August, he welcomed H.E. Mohamoud Ahmed Nur, Somalia Ambassador to Kenya to the IOM Regional Office. The meeting provided an opportunity for IOM and the government of Somalia to brief each other on priorities and challenges.

On 13 August, Mr. Abdiker and officials from IOM Kenya Country Office paid a courtesy call on the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, and who is also the acting Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, Ukur Yatani Kanacho. During the meeting, they discussed opportunities for cooperation between IOM and the Government of Kenya.

For media inquiries, contact: Kenneth Odiwuor, IOM Regional Office for East and Horn of Africa, Email: kodiwuor@iom.int , Tel: +254 722 560 363