Biographical Note

NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF COMOROS PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

 

(Based on information received from the Protocol and Liaison Service.)

Mohamed Toihiri, the new Permanent Representative of Comoros to the United Nations, today presented his credentials to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Toihiri was Senior Lecturer at the University of Comoros in charge of the French Literature chair since 2004, and a regular contributor to the Comorian national newspapers the Kashkazi, since 2006, and the Alwatwan since 1994.  Previous teaching experience, which dates back to 1978, includes as French Lecturer at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in the United States (2002 to 2003), and as French Professor for the World Health Organization in Comoros (2002).

Mr. Toihiri was also Professor of Francophone French Indian Ocean literature at the college-level and trainer of teacher advisers, also in Indian Ocean literature, in Madagascar, Comoros, Maurice, Seychelles and Reunion.  He held several other posts in his distinguished academic career, including Academic Inspector of high school French teachers and French Professor in the French school of Comoros (2001 to 2002), General Director of college-level technical and professional teaching for Comoros (1998 to 2001), and teacher of French and African, North African and Caribbean literature at the National College of Comoros (1983 to 1984).

From 1986 to 1988 Mr. Toihiri worked in the private sector, as Director and Public Relations Director first for Sony and then for TDK, both in Paris.

Mr. Toihiri has authored numerous publications, including several novels and plays, and presented many articles at various conferences.  In related accomplishments, from 1990-1992, he was Editor in Chief of Le Comorien, the only newspaper intended for Comorians overseas.  He was also Cultural Director of Radio Comoros, in 1978.

He holds several academic degrees, including a PhD in modern French literature, with a specialization in Francophone literature (Africa, Maghreb and the Antilles) from the University of Bordeaux III in France, and, from the same university, a Master of Arts degree in communication (1979), a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication (1978) and a Bachelor of Arts degree in French (1977).  He has also received a number of fellowships in furtherance of his pedagogical interests in the French language.

A native speaker of French and Comorian, Mr. Toihiri is also fluent in English and Malagasy, and acquainted with several other languages.

Born on 20 August 1955, Mr. Toihiri is married and has two children.

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