At 66, the Mauritanian Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed takes the helm of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Unanimously elected to succeed Chadian Hissein Brahim Taha, this former UN diplomat and ex-head of Mauritanian diplomacy is taking charge of an institution that brings together 57 member states. Amidst geopolitical fractures and pressing issues, he will need to alleviate the tensions facing Arab countries.
On August 27, 2026, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed was appointed as the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). By taking the leadership of this multilateral body, the Mauritanian diplomat is measuring up to a space shaken by multiple international tensions. Known for his method based on discretion and negotiation, he must now succeed in bringing forth a common voice within an organization gathering 57 states across four continents Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America with often divergent rivalries and interests.
« I swear before Allah, the Almighty, to fulfill the obligations of my function within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation with integrity, honesty, and dedication. »
Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Secretary-General of the OIC – Mauritania
Born in 1960 in Nouakchott, Mauritania, and trained in economic and social sciences, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed embodies this generation of seasoned African high officials in major international institutions. Between 2015 and 2018, as the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, he worked at the heart of one of the Middle East’s most complex conflicts. Now at the OIC, the Palestinian question and maintaining a concrete capacity for diplomatic action in the Middle East will constitute the major priorities of his mandate.
« The political leaders of our sub-region must fulfill their promises regarding good governance and the return to constitutional order to better respond to the aspirations of their citizens and improve their living conditions, particularly in fragile areas. »
Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Secretary-General of the OIC – Mauritania
Head of Mauritanian diplomacy from 2018 to 2022, then Chief of Staff to President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, he combined international mediation with state affairs management. This election also reflects the growing influence of Mauritanian diplomacy on the regional and international stage.
The Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has made numerous efforts during his career and has been invested, from the outset, in favor of the causes of the Islamic world. We also thank all members of the staff of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for their efforts and dedication during the past period.
Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Bin Abdullah Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs – Saudi Arabia
Longtemps homme de l’ombre au sein des chancelleries et des missions de paix, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed devient le visage d’une organisation en quête d’un rôle central dans les affaires globales. Son principal défi réside donc dans sa faculté à appliquer sa méthode fondée sur l’écoute et le compromis au service de la diplomatie islamique.
Long an influential behind-the-scenes figure in chancelleries and peace missions, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed is becoming the face of an organization seeking a central role in global affairs. His main challenge, therefore, lies in his ability to apply his method based on listening and compromise in the service of Islamic diplomacy.
