EU Appoints Danish Diplomat Birgitte Nygaard Markussen as New Sahel Special Representative

BRUSSELS (XOL Africa) — The European Union on Thursday appointed Danish diplomat Birgitte Nygaard Markussen as its new special representative for the Sahel, tasking her with helping advance the bloc’s efforts on peace, security, stability and sustainable development in the region.

Markussen will begin her 12-month mandate on Sept. 1, succeeding João Cravinho, who has served as the EU’s special representative for the Sahel since November 2024.

The EU said Markussen will support the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, in implementing the EU’s renewed approach to the Sahel adopted in 2025. Her mandate will cover Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, as well as the broader region.

The special representative will lead the EU’s political dialogue with partners in the Sahel and work to improve coordination and visibility of the bloc’s political, security and development efforts.

Markussen will also work with Sahel governments, neighboring countries, regional organizations, the United Nations, the African Union and other international partners to support conflict prevention and resolution and strengthen regional cooperation.

The EU said Markussen brings extensive experience in African affairs and EU external relations from her work with Denmark’s Foreign Ministry and the European External Action Service.

She currently serves as Denmark’s special envoy to the Sahel and Great Lakes. From 2016 to 2023, she held several senior positions at the European External Action Service, including head of the EU Delegation to the African Union and EU ambassador to the U.N. Economic Commission for Africa.

Markussen previously served as Denmark’s ambassador to Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and the Central African Republic, and as director for Africa at Denmark’s Foreign Ministry.

EU special representatives are appointed to promote the bloc’s policies and interests in regions and countries of strategic importance. They also support efforts to advance reforms, stability and the rule of law.

Markussen will become one of 11 EU special representatives supporting the work of Kallas, the bloc’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.