Africans rising

Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura profile: Who is the new Fifa Secretary General (SG)?

The FIFA Council on Friday appointed Senegal’s Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura as FIFA Secretary General to replace Jérôme Valcke, from France. With the appointment, Samoura becomes the first African and first woman to hold the position. The appointment has been hailed by many across the world as a progressive step and social media has been abuzz with congratulatory messages.

Published

9 years ago

May 16, 2016

This Is Africa

The FIFA Council on Friday appointed Senegal’s Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura as FIFA Secretary General, in a historic appointment, replacing Jérôme Valcke, from France.

With the appointment, Samoura becomes the first African and first woman to hold the position. The appointment has been hailed by many across the world and welcomed as a progressive and positive step.

Speaking on her appointment, Samoura said, “Today is a wonderful day for me, and I am honoured to take on the role of FIFA’s Secretary General,”

“I believe this role is a perfect fit for my skills and experience – strategic, high impact team building in international settings – which I will use to help grow the game of football all over the world”.

“I believe this role is a perfect fit for my skills and experience – Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura, new FIFA Sec. Gen. pic.twitter.com/P59ToazFD9
— fcnaija🇳🇬 (@fc1naija) May 14, 2016

Read: Samoura Appointed FIFA Secretary General, the first woman and African to hold the post

Samoura in profile:

Age: 54

Country: Senegal

Credentials: Samoura has worked with the United Nations for 21 years in various capacity. She is currently the UN’s Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria. Previously worked as the UN senior logistics officer with the World Food Programme in Rome.

Served as country representative or director in six countries: Republic of Djibouti, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Madagascar and Nigeria.

Educational background: Holds a Masters Degree in English and Spanish from the University of Lyon; and a Post-Masters Degree in international relations/international trade from the Institut d’Etudes Supérieures Spécialisées (IECS)- Strasbourg-France.

Fact: She speaks French (her mother tongue), English, Spanish and Italian.

She says: “I also look forward to bringing my experience in governance and compliance to bear on the important reform work that is already underway at FIFA”.

Social media reacts:

So happy Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura Appointed #FIFA Secretary General. Strong move by Gianni Infantino and an important first step.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) May 13, 2016

Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura of Senegal is the new Secretary General of FIFA. First Woman and first African! #FIFA #Women #Africa
— Kirsty Coventry (@KirstyCoventry) May 15, 2016
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