Cherinet Alem Hariffo, once a refugee in Kenya, has made history as the youngest Permanent Observer of the IGAD Secretariat at the United Nations. On March 7, 2025, he presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, reflecting on his journey from displacement to diplomacy.
Originally from Ethiopia, Cherinet lived under a Nairobi bridge and sold boiled eggs to survive. Now a policy advisor, he focuses on education, migration, and youth empowerment. In his new role, he aims to strengthen IGAD’s UN engagement and mobilize resources for regional challenges.
