NAIROBI, Kenya – From selling boiled eggs on the streets of Nairobi to representing an entire region at the United Nations, Cherinet Alem Hariffo’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
At just 24, the former refugee has been appointed as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s (IGAD) Permanent Observer to the UN.
On March 7, he presented his letters of credence to UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York, marking a defining moment in his meteoric rise.
Born in Ethiopia, Cherinet’s early life was marked by struggle.
Forced to flee his home country, he found himself in Kenya, where he took to hawking to survive.
But he never let his circumstances define his future.
𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭: 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐃’𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐍 𝐚𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟒. 𝐀 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟…
Through resilience and sheer determination, he mastered 11 languages and climbed the ranks, proving that opportunity and hard work can defy the odds.
His appointment not only cements IGAD’s presence at the UN but also signals the confidence IGAD’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, places in the youth of the region.
Cherinet’s story is a testament to the power of ambition and perseverance.
From the streets of Nairobi to the diplomatic corridors of New York, his journey is far from over—it’s just getting started.
