World Affairs Council of Charlotte (WACC)
Ambassador (ret.) Herman “Hank” Cohen, one of the most experienced U.S.-Africa diplomats alive, will speak to WACC members and guests through WACC’s Distinguished Speaker Series virtually.
With a 38-year career in the Foreign Service, primarily stationed in African countries like Senegal and the Republic of the Congo, he also served as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs under George H.W. Bush. Amb. Cohen has been instrumental in shaping U.S. policy in Africa, facilitating important ceasefires in Angola, Ethiopia, and Mozambique, and forming relationships with iconic African leaders such as Joseph Mobutu, Robert Mugabe, and Muammar Gaddafi.
As a veteran of the Foreign Service and senior advisor to presidents, Ambassador Cohen will cover a range of topics, including a reflection on his career and an analysis of current geopolitical trends, including Russia’s rising influence in Africa, opportunities for economic development in Africa, and more.