Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana and career diplomat, Olivier Brochenin arrived in Gaborone on 22 September 2022.
Education
He holds a law degree from the University of Paris-X and is a graduate of the Institute of Political Studies of Paris (Sciences Po). O. Brochenin joined the ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in 1990 through the competitive examination for secretary of foreign affairs (cadre d’Orient, Central Europe section – German).
Diplomatic career
He was previously in Equatorial Guinea as ambassador from 2019 to 2022. His other functions abroad include the French embassy in Israel (secretary, 1996-1999), the French permanent representation to the European Union in Brussels (counsellor, 1999-2002), New Orleans (consul general, 2007-2011) and the French embassy in South Africa (n°2, 2011-2013). He was an exchange diplomat at the German Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) in 1994.
In the central administration, he has held the positions of deputy director for security and defence cooperation (2016-2019), deputy director for development issues (2013-2016), advisor to the minister for cooperation, and head of unit at the general secretariat for European affairs under the prime minister’s office.
He is familiar with English, German, Spanish, and Hebrew.
O. Brochenin is also a reserve captain of the infantry as staff specialist.
Detailed biography
- Ministry of Cooperation and Development, 1988-1989
- Deputy Secretary for Foreign Affairs, 18 June 1990
- Central Administration (America), 1990-1991
- Military Service, 1991-1992
- Central Administration (Continental Europe), 1992-1996
- Counsellor (cadre d’Orient), 1ᵉʳ March 1996
- Secretary in Tel Aviv, 1996-1999
- Counsellor at the French Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels, 1999-2002
- Prime Minister’s Office, General Secretariat for European Affairs, Head of Sector, 2002-2005
- Advisor for European affairs in the office of the Minister for Cooperation, Development and Francophony, 2005-2007
- Consul General in New Orleans, 2007-2011
- No. 2 in Pretoria, 2011-2013
- Central administration, deputy director for development policies (sustainable development directorate), 2013-2016
- Deputy Director for Security and Defence Cooperation (DCSD), 2016-2019
- Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, September 2019-September 2022
- Ambassador to Botswana and SADC since September 2022
