Al Maamoun Baba Lamine Keita became ambassador of Mali to the United States on Jan. 18, having previously served as the secretary-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation since 2008.

Before that, Ambassador Keita was Mali’s ambassador to Ethiopia with concurrent accreditation to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Djibouti from 2001 to 2007. During this time, he was also Mali’s permanent representative to the African Union, the U.N. Economic Commission for Africa and the U.N. Environmental Program.

In addition, he served various postings in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including technical advisor (1999-2001), political affairs director (1996-99), chief of the Middle East Division (1981-89) and of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Division (1987-89), as well as first counselor at the Malian Embassy in Egypt (1989-96).

Ambassador Keita helped to develop the curriculum for the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in 1999, was the founder and editor-in-chief of the news magazine La Concorde from 1985 to 1989, and was a bilingual interpreter for former Malian President Gen. Moussa Traoré from 1980 to 1989.

Born in 1955, Ambassador Keita holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from Cairo University. He also holds various diplomas from the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of State and USAID, as well as the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in London. Ambassador is married to Marié Keita and has five children.

Contact Information

Embassy of Mali
2130 R St., NW
Washington, DC 20008

Phone: 202-332-2249
Fax: 202-332-6603

Website: http://www.maliembassy.us/