Mauritanian diplomat Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed elected OIC Secretary-General

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has elected Mauritanian diplomat Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed as its new Secretary-General. The decision was made by foreign ministers from the 57 member states on Thursday.

Ould Cheikh Ahmed, who arrives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, brings more than 30 years of experience from his work with the United Nations and in various crisis hotspots. He succeeds Hussein Ibrahim Taha of Chad, whose term officially concludes in November 2026.

The OIC charter stipulates a five-year term for the secretary-general, with a single renewal possible. The election process emphasizes fair geographical distribution, rotation, and equal opportunity, alongside competence, integrity, and experience. The charter does not mandate a fixed sequence for leadership transfer among the Arab, African, and Asian groups, prioritizing rotation and equitable representation.

In February, the African Union had formally endorsed Ould Cheikh Ahmed's candidacy for the 2027-2032 term, recognizing Mauritania as part of the Northern Africa region. His appointment reflects the organization's commitment to experienced leadership and balanced representation among its diverse membership.