Senegal-Born Diplomat Names to New French Cabinet

Nicknamed the young “Condoleezza Rice” of France, 30 year old diplomat Rama Yade was recently appointed by President Nicolas Sarkozy to the French cabinet.

Senegal-born Yade serves as the new junior minister for human rights, an area of importance to Sarkozy.

A 2000 graduate of the French Institute of Political studies, Yade worked at the Paris Town Hall and the French National Assembly. She became an administrator at the French Senate I 2002.

Politics in her blood, she is the daughter of a Senegalese diplomat and an-up-and- coming star in the Union for a popular Movement (UMP) party.

Sarkozy reshuffled his government in early July when his traditionally conservative party did not receive favor during parliamentary elections, and appointments were given to three women with roots in Africa. The appointments were unprecedented in the history of French parliament.

Often referred to as Sarkozy’s “rainbow government,” the minority influence in the new cabinet is aimed to better meet the needs of France’s diverse ethnic and religious population, especially its estimated 5 million people Muslim population.