Ambassador of East African Nation Set to Headline BFA Georgia Fundraiser
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The ambassador of the East African nation of Djibouti, a country of 1.1 million people about the size of Belize, is set to headline Books for Africa’s annual fundraiser in Atlanta.
Ambassador Mohamed Siad Doualeh, who also serves as permanent representative of Djibouti to the United Nations, will deliver a speech at the Sept. 5 luncheon at the Buckhead Club.
Djibouti, which borders Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia, is considered strategic due to its position across from Yemen at the nexus of key global shipping routes where the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden come together. The U.S. and many of its European allies operate military bases there, as do China and Saudi Arabia.
“Books For Africa is honored to have Djibouti’s ambassador here in Atlanta to keynote our fundraiser,” said Patrick Plonski, executive director of Books For Africa. “Djibouti is of critical importance to the U.S. owing to the large U.S. military base there, and this visit by the ambassador will help build goodwill and understanding, as well as help in our mission to advance education across Africa.”
Based in Minnesota, the nonprofit operates its largest warehouse in Atlanta and frequently hosts African dignitaries here to catch its vision of ending the continent’s “book famine” and boosting literacy.
Mr. Doualeh is an experienced diplomat with postings at the International Court of Justice and the World Trade Organization in Geneva under his belt. He also served as special envoy for Somalia process for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, a bloc of eight African countries.
The nonprofit has already raised more than half of its $75,000 goal for the year, and the luncheon tickets, priced at $75, and a range of sponsorships will go toward closing the loop.
Last year’s event, which was threatened by Hurricane Helene but ended up moving ahead, featured a keynote speech by Zambian Ambassador Chibamba Kanyama, read more about Mr. Kanyama’s speech at Books for Africa last year: Zambian Ambassador Praises Books for Africa, Headlines Fundraiser in Atlanta