EU: Nicholas Westcott, the new 'Mr Africa'

Nicholas Westcott took the reins of the Africa branch in the new European External Action Service (EEAS), directed by Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Common Foreign and Security and Vice-President of the European Commission.

Commenting on the appointment, Catherine Ashton said: "Nicholas Westcott is British High Commissioner to Ghana and non-resident Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger and Togo. His considerable experience of Africa includes a previous posting in Tanzania and a secondment to the UK Department for International Development on regional co-operation in Africa. He also brings impressive knowledge of the EU, having worked on Common Foreign and Security Policy and EU affairs in both London and Brussels.”