His Excellency Roble Olhaye, Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Ambassador from Djibouti to the United States, has passed away at age 71 of an undisclosed illness. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations, offers his condolences to Ambassador Olhaye’s family and to the people of  Djibouti for their loss.

             “Ambassador Olhaye has been a significant part of the diplomatic corps in Washington for more than three decades who faithfully represented his country and his continent with dedication and expertise. It will be strange attending the next Africa event and not seeing him presiding. He will be missed,” Smith said.

             Ambassador Olhaye has held his two posts since 1988. In 1989, he was appointed as non-resident Ambassador to Canada. He is currently the longest-serving ambassador to the United States and consequently held the post of Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Washington.  As Dean, he received one of Djibouti’s highest medals of honor for improving how the nation was viewed internationally.

              He was married with five children.

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