New Ambassadors present Credentials - 20 February 2024

His Excellency, Mr. Magzhan Ilyassov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, His Excellency, Mr. Aly Diallo, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea and Her Excellency, Dr. Fatou Bensouda, Ambassador of the Republic of the Gambia presented their Letters of Credence to President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin today.

His Excellency, Mr. Magzhan Ilyassov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was accompanied by his spouse Ms. Akmaral Aidarbekova, and Mr. Nurmakhambet Smagul, Third Secretary at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

His Excellency, Mr. Aly Diallo, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea was accompanied by Ms. Makale Soumah, First Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea.

Her Excellency, Dr. Fatou Bensouda, Ambassador of the Republic of the Gambia was accompanied by Ms. Mama O.K. Jobe Conateh, Protocol Officer at the Embassy of the Gambia.

Sean Fleming, Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for International Development and Diaspora, represented the government at the ceremony.

The following were also present: Ms. Orla O’Hanrahan, Secretary General to the President; Mr. Michael Gaffey, Director General, Development Cooperation and Africa Division, Department of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Ralph Victory, Deputy Chief of Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs; Col. Stephen Howard, Comdt. Brian Walsh, Comdt. Deirdre Newell, Capt. Pól Ó Domhnaill, Aides-de-Camp to the President; Mr. Joe Brennan and Ms Claire Callaghan, Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Ambassadors were accompanied to and from Áras an Uachtaráin by an Escort of Honour consisting of a motorcycle detachment drawn from 2 Brigade Cavalry Squadron, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, under the command of Lieutenant Lorcan Smylie.

A Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin, by the Air Corps, Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin under the command of Lt. David Sutton.

2nd Lieutenant Cian O’Sullivan from the Air Corps, from Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin was the flag officer.

Captain Tom Kelly conducted the No. 1 Army Band which is based in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin.