BIO/3247

ROBLE OLHAYE OF DJIBOUTI ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF SECOND COMMITTEE

14 September 1999


Press Release
BIO/3247
GA/EF/2856


ROBLE OLHAYE OF DJIBOUTI ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF SECOND COMMITTEE

19990914 Biographical Note

Roble Olhaye, the Permanent Representative of Djibouti to the United Nations, was elected Chairman of the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) this afternoon. He has been Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Ambassador of his country to the United States since 1988. In 1989 he was also appointed Ambassador (non-resident) to Canada.

During his term in office, Mr. Olhaye has represented his country in the Security Council, served as President of the Council (February 1994) and Chairman of the Sanctions Committee established by Security Council resolution 841 on Haiti. In August 1994, as a member of the Security Council Mission to Mozambique, he assisted in the process towards democratic elections. He has also participated in numerous international conferences and meetings. Dean of the African diplomatic corps in Washington D.C., in 1999 he was awarded one of Djibouti’s highest medals of honour for his role in enhancing the nation’s international image.

From 1986 to 1988, Mr. Olhaye served as Djibouti’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) in, Nairobi. In 1980-1985 he was Honorary Consul of Djibouti to Kenya. During that time, diplomatic relations between the two countries were established. In 1982, he founded the Banque de Djibouti et du Moyen Orient, S.A. as a joint venture with a bank in the Middle East. Earlier, he had served as an independent consultant concentrating on financial issues.

Mr. Olhaye started his career in 1964, holding positions in auditing, accountancy and taxation in Ethiopia. He stayed in that field until 1973, when he was appointed Regional Chief Accountant for TAW International Leasing Corporation in Nairobi. He became Financial Director, Africa, for that firm in 1975.

Mr. Olhaye graduated from the Commercial School of Addis Ababa in 1964 with an Intermediate Diploma in Commerce. He qualified as a professional accountant in England in 1972, following extensive studies in the field of accounting, finance, taxation, law and management. He is a Fellow of the Association of International Accountants (UK) and a member of the British Institute of Management.Born on 24 April 1944, Mr. Olhaye is married and has five children.

* *** *

For information media. Not an official record.