Veronique Lorenzo takes over as EU ambassador to Somalia

Veronique Lorenzo presented her credentials to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Thursday in Mogadishu. October 3, 2016|Photo: Courtesy

Veronique Lorenzo, formerly Head of Unit Environment, Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Wildlife in the European Commission has taken over office as the new EU ambassador to Somalia replacing former envoy Michel CervoneDurso.

Lorenzo presented her credentials to Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Thursday in Mogadishu.

Cervone Du’rso an Italian national was appointed in mid-2012 as EU special envoy to Somalia and his term ended October 2016.

Notable in his tenure is EU’s significant involvement in Somalia’s reconstruction process in socio-economic, political affairs and security. The EU contributes stipends for the African Mission in Somalia, Amisom troops.

The EU also signed an agreement with the government of Somalia to build a permanent base in Mogadishu which CervoneDurso noted last week would be completed in 2017.

Lorenzo takes over the reigns as the EU envoy to Somalia at a time the country is undergoing transition as Somalia elects new leadership this month.

She has a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics.