U.S. appoints Pham as envoy to Africa’s Great Lakes Region

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo attend the second U.S.-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue at the State Department in Washington, U.S., November 9, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the appointment of Peter Pham on Friday as the U.S. special envoy for Africa’s Great Lakes Region, the State Department said in a statement.

Pham, director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council think tank, will coordinate U.S. policy in the region, with an emphasis on strengthening democratic institutions and the safe return of refugees and displaced persons, the department said in a statement.