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A former refugee in Kenya has made history by becoming the youngest Permanent Observer of the Intergovernmental Authority of Development (IGAD) secretariat of the United Nations.
Star reports that Cherinet Alem Hariffo who presented his credentials on March 7, 2025, to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, was delighted following the journey that led to him achieving this accomplishment.
He said: “As I present my credentials as the first ever and the youngest Permanent Observer of IGAD Secretariat at the United Nations, I am reminded of the journey that brought me here.
“From being displaced as a child to standing among senior diplomats, this is not what I could have imagined seven years ago as a refugee. But here we are.”
He is from Ethiopia and speaks eleven languages fluently.
While in Kenya, Cherinet used to stay with other refugees under the bridge next to Lions Place, Nairobi, before the expressway was built.
During the day, he would sell boiled eggs in the streets of Nairobi to make a living.
But now, Cherinet is a policy advisor and advocate specializing in education, migration policy, and youth empowerment.
He will work to enhance IGAD’s engagement within the UN system, strengthen diplomatic relations and mobilize resources to address key regional challenges, including displacement, education, and development.
Previously, Hariffo served as Advisor to the Ambassador at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Djibouti to the United Nations. While there, he pl,ayed a key role in refugee protection, children’s rights, and education policy.
Hariffo also previously held leadership positions in various other organizations
