Michael A. Battle Sr. (born July 28, 1950) is an American diplomat, chaplain, and academic administrator who has been serving as United States ambassador to Tanzania since February 2023. He previously served as ambassador to the African Union from 2009 to 2013.
Michael Battle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Ambassador to Tanzania | |
| Assumed office February 27, 2023 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Don J. Wright |
| United States Ambassador to the African Union | |
| In office November 2, 2009 – September 22, 2013 | |
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | John A. Simon |
| Succeeded by | Reuben Brigety |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 28, 1950 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Education | Trinity College (BA) Duke University (MDiv) Howard University (DMin) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Unit | United States Army Reserve |
Early life and education
editBattle was born in St. Louis in 1950. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in religious studies from Trinity College, a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Howard University.[1]
Career
editFrom 1976 to 1996, Battle worked as the chaplain of Hampton University. From 1996 to 1998, he was the associate vice president of Virginia State University. From 1998 to 2003, he worked as the vice president of Chicago State University. He also served as a chaplain in the United States Army Reserve for 20 years. In the 1990s, Battle also worked as the vice president of the American Committee on Africa (now Africa Action). From 2003 to 2009, Battle was the seventh president of the Interdenominational Theological Center.
United States ambassador to the African Union
editIn 2009, Battle was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as the United States ambassador to the African Union.
United States ambassador to Tanzania
editIn August 2021, Battle was appointed by President Joe Biden to serve as United States ambassador to Tanzania.[2][3] On May 24, 2022, hearings were held on his nomination before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. On June 9, 2022, the committee favorably reported his nomination to the Senate. On December 13, 2022, Battle was confirmed in the Senate by voice vote.[4] He was sworn in on December 21, 2022,[5] and presented his credentials to President Samia Suluhu Hassan on February 27, 2023.[6]
References
edit- ^ "The Honorable Michael A. Battle's Biography". The HistoryMakers. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
- ^ "Battle, Michael A. Sr". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
- ^ "President Biden Announces His Intent to Nominate Three Individuals to Serve as Ambassadors". The White House. 2021-08-20. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
- ^ "PN1055 — Michael Battle — Department of State 117th Congress (2021-2022)". US Congress. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
- ^ "Ambassador Michael Anthony Battle, Sr". United States Department of State. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
- ^ US Embassy Tanzania [@usembassytz] (February 27, 2023). "The new U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania, Michael Battle, presented his credentials to President Samia Suluhu Hassan today at Chamwino State House in Dodoma" (Tweet). Retrieved 2023-02-27 – via Twitter.