W. Stuart Symington (diplomat)

W. Stuart Symington IV (born 1952)[1] has served as the United States Special Envoy for South Sudan since January 2020. He was United States Ambassador to Nigeria from 2016 to 2019. Earlier he served tours as U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda and Djibouti, as U.S. Special Representative for the Central African Republic, and as Deputy Assistant Secretary. [2]

Stuart Symington
United States Ambassador to Nigeria
In office October 03, 2016 – August 30, 2019
President	Barack Obama Donald Trump
Preceded by	James F. Entwistle
Succeeded by	Mary Beth Leonard
Deputy Assistant Secretary and United States Special Representative for the Central African Republic
In office April 21, 2014 – September 2016
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	vacant
United States Ambassador to Rwanda
In office November 3, 2008 – July 5, 2011
President	George W. Bush Barack Obama
Preceded by	Michael R. Arietti
Succeeded by	Donald Koran
United States Ambassador to Djibouti
In office September 18, 2006 – May 31, 2008
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Marguerita Ragsdale
Succeeded by	James C. Swan
Personal details
Born	William Stuart Symington IV 1952 (age 68–69)
Spouse(s)	Susan Ide
Alma mater	Brown University Columbia Law School

Biography

Symington served most recently as U.S. Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2016-2019. Previously, he was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central Africa and African Security Affairs (2015-2016), U.S. Special Representative for the Central African Republic (2014-2016 and Political Advisor to the Commander NORAD/US Northern Command 2011-2014). He served as Ambassador to Rwanda (2008-2011), Ambassador to Djibouti 2006-2008), and Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge' d'affaires in Niger (2001-2003). He was also United States Department of State's Representative at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia from 2005 to 2006, Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq from 2004 to 2005, and Deputy Director of the Department's Office of West African Affairs from 2003 to 2005.[3]

Earlier in his career, Symington served in Ecuador, Mexico, SpaIn and Honduras and as a Pearson Fellow in the Office of U.S. Congressman Ike Skelton.[3] Before joining the Department of State he practiced law in Missouri, New York, London, and Paris.

Symington received a B.A. from Brown University and a J.D. from Columbia Law School.[3] He and his spouse Susan Ide Symington have been married for 40 years. A member of Symington family, he is the grandson of Senator Stuart Symington.

Ambassadorships

Djibouti

He served as the U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti from 2006 to 2008.

Rwanda

He served as the U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda from 2008 to 2011.

Nigeria

Symington was sworn in as Ambassador to Nigeria on October 3, 2016 and served until August 30, 2019.[4]

References

1. "W. Stuart Symington IV - People - Department History - Office of the Historian". history.state.gov. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
2. "Symington, W. Stuart". State.gov. 2005-01-30. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
3. "Ambassador W. Stuart Symington". State Department. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
4. "Ambassador W. Stuart Symington U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria".