The Ivorian Council of Ministers officially approved the appointment of Salma Bakhta Mansouri as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria to the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. The decision, announced on June 4, 2026, means Ms. Mansouri will reside in Abidjan, the vibrant economic capital of Côte d'Ivoire. This accreditation was part of a sovereign decision by Côte d'Ivoire to welcome three new ambassadors, including representatives from the Republic of Korea and the Republic of India, alongside Algeria. The simultaneous accreditation of these three high-level diplomatic representatives shows Côte d'Ivoire's commitment to strengthening its international relations and fostering cooperation with key global partners.
Diplomatic Career Notes
Before her current appointment as Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, Salma Bakhta Mansouri served as Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for African Affairs, a role that provided her with extensive insight into regional diplomatic challenges and opportunities. Her distinguished diplomatic career commenced at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in August 2009, where she began as an office manager within the Directorate General for Political Affairs and International Security. In this foundational role, she gained a full understanding of Algeria's foreign policy objectives and the intricate mechanisms of international relations.
Mansouri later held the significant position of First Secretary in Algeria's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. She served in this capacity from July 2012 until July 2016, gaining invaluable experience in multilateral diplomacy, international negotiations, and engagement with global governance bodies. During her tenure at the UN, she contributed to Algeria's positions on critical international issues, further honing her expertise in global affairs. Following this, she was also appointed as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Algeria to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, a key regional posting she held between March and November 2024. This sequence of roles notes a consistent progression through various levels of Algerian diplomatic service, from headquarters to key international postings and ultimately to ambassadorial representation, demonstrating a broad and deep engagement with foreign policy.
Extensive International Experience
Salma Bakhta Mansouri's career also includes significant international postings and specialized training, particularly with the United Nations. Between February 2022 and March 2024, she served as project coordinator for the support of defense and security forces in Mauritania, Niger, and Chad, an assignment affiliated with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. This role involved complex coordination efforts in a region facing multifaceted security and humanitarian challenges, showcasing her ability to manage sensitive international projects. Earlier, from September 2020 to January 2022, Mansouri led the UN project support team for the G5 Sahel Joint Force, an initiative vital for regional stability and counter-terrorism efforts. Her leadership in this capacity was instrumental in facilitating international assistance to the joint force.
Her work with the United Nations continued as a senior advisor and head of the UN Transitional Justice team in Bamako, a critical role she held from February 2019 to August 2020. In this position, she contributed to efforts aimed at promoting justice, reconciliation, and peacebuilding in post-conflict settings. Prior to this, Mansouri spent two years as a Field Operations Officer in the UN Human Rights and Protection Division, also based in Bamako. This hands-on experience in human rights protection provided her with direct exposure to the challenges faced by vulnerable populations and the mechanisms for their safeguarding. She further broadened her international engagement by participating in the esteemed 'UN Young Leaders Forum' in Turin in 2019, an event designed to foster global leadership and innovative solutions for pressing international issues.
Mansouri's professional development is underpinned by a strong commitment to continuous learning. This is evidenced by a certificate in International Humanitarian Law on 'Humanitarian Responses in Conflicts and Disasters,' which she obtained from Harvard University in New York in 2018. This specialized training equipped her with advanced knowledge of humanitarian principles and practices in complex emergencies. In the same year, she completed training focused on the 'Prevention of Forgery and Corruption in the United Nations,' also conducted in New York. This training notes her dedication to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability within international organizations.
Academic Foundation
Salma Bakhta Mansouri is a distinguished graduate of the National School of Administration, a prestigious institution where she specialized in diplomacy. This rigorous academic foundation provided her with a full understanding of public administration, international law, and diplomatic protocol. Her academic background also includes a Master's degree (Master 2) in International Relations. This postgraduate qualification focused specifically on International Security and Defense, obtained from Jean-Moulin University in France. Her specialization in this field shows her deep interest and expertise in global security dynamics, conflict resolution, and defense strategies, all of which are invaluable assets in her new ambassadorial role.
