Sarah Montgomery OBE has been appointed UK Special Envoy to the
Horn of Africa and Red Sea.
Montgomery takes up the role after completing a tour in
Washington as the Embassy’s Trade and Economic Counsellor.
Previously she has held senior roles as the Gulf, Yemen and Iran
lead at the UK’s National Security Secretariat and the
Development Director in the British High Commission in Kenya.
The UK Envoy’s role is to lead the UK response to international
activity in the Red Sea region, engaging with key actors on both
shores of the Red Sea and beyond.
Minister for Africa said:
From a humanitarian crisis enveloping the Horn of Africa to our
deepening ties across the Gulf, the UK’s relationship with the
Red Sea region is at a critical juncture. Sarah is an experienced
diplomat who I know will drive forward these vital relationships
in the years ahead.
UK Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea Sarah
Montgomery said:
I am delighted to take up this role at a vital time for the
region. The Horn of Africa is facing a humanitarian catastrophe
as extreme weather events linked to climate change, conflict and
instability, and the rise in global food prices following
Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine combine to push large
numbers of people towards famine.
The UK is strengthening our links across the Gulf on the key
issues of our time, from free trade to regional security and
climate change. I am looking forward to working with our partners
in the region and internationally on all of these issues.