Press release: Change of Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Mauritania in May 2018

Mr Samuel Thomas has been appointed Her Majesty’s first ever resident Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. Previously Mr Thomas Reilly was Her Majesty’s non-resident Ambassador, based in Rabat, Morocco. The UK is also upgrading its existing office in Nouakchott to an Embassy.

Mr Thomas will take up his appointment during May 2018. The UK has had an office in Mauritania since 2011. The move to upgrade it to an Embassy is a sign of the UK’s growing bilateral relationship with Mauritania and its commitment to the region.

On Mr Thomas’s appointment, the Foreign Secretary said:

I am delighted that we are enhancing our representation in Mauritania, and hope that our relationship continues to grow, particularly in trade. We are strengthening our diplomatic, security and development engagement across North Africa and the Sahel, and this Mission is another example of Global Britain: outward facing and forging stronger relationships around the world.

Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Minister of State at the Department for International Development, Alistair Burt added:

This is an exciting new chapter as we deepen our links across the region and I particularly look forward to visiting later in the year.

Mr Thomas has worked in the public and private sector, focusing on energy, trade and terrorism. He joined the FCO in 2009 to work on UN Security Council policy, before moving to the Middle East and North Africa Directorate. He has previously served overseas in Tripoli, Moscow and Baghdad.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Full name: Samuel Thomas

2018 to present	Pre-posting training
2015 to 2017	Baghdad, Head Counter-Terrorist Finance, Economic and Energy Section
2015	Moscow, Energy Policy
2013 – 2015	Tripoli, Political and Economic Consultant (on leave from FCO)
2011 – 2013	Tripoli, Deputy latterly Head, Commercial Section
2011	FCO/Cabinet Office, Chief of Staff, Cross-Whitehall Libya Oil Cell
2009 – 2011	FCO, UN Security Council Desk Officer, International Organisations Department

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