Dell, Christopher W. (Christopher William), 1956-

<p>Christopher William Dell (born 1956) is a career United States Foreign Service officer who is currently serving as the Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Activity, U.S. Africa Command since 2012. Before his current assignment Ambassador Dell served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo, after having also been posted to Angola and Zimbabwe.</p>

<p>Dell obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College, Columbia University in 1978 and a Master of Philosophy from Balliol College, University of Oxford in 1980.Dell graduated from Holmdel High School in Holmdel Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey.</p>

<p>During the 1980s, Dell worked in American embassies and consulates in Mexico and Portugal, and at the Foreign Office. In the 1990s, he was posted to Mozambique and Bulgaria. In 2000–2001, he served as the Chief of Mission of the U.S. Office in Pristina, Kosovo.From 2001 to 2004, Christopher Dell was U.S. Ambassador to Angola.</p>

<p>Dell was appointed US Ambassador to Zimbabwe on July 2, 2004, and presented his credentials in Harare on September 2. During his tenure, the government of President Robert Mugabe has carried out Operation Murambatsvina, which has been described by Mugabe as an "urban renewal" programme and by his political opponents as a crackdown on the urban poor. Western governments, including that of the United States, have condemned it.</p>

<p>Relations between the United States and Zimbabwe have deteriorated as a result of both Operation Murambatsvina and the humanitarian situation in the country, which the United States has blamed on official corruption and mismanagement. In addition, the US named Zimbabwe an abuser of human rights in 2004 annual report.</p>

<p>As a result of tense relations, Dell has borne the brunt of the Zimbabwe government's displeasure. In mid-October 2005, he was detained for entering a restricted area of the Harare Botanical Gardens. A few weeks later, at a public lecture in the city of Mutare, Dell blamed corruption for the food shortages in the country, which the Zimbabwe government blames on foreign sanctions. On November 8, 2005, Dell was summoned to meet President Mugabe and was told to "go to hell." The following day, the ambassador was recalled to the United States for consultations. He subsequently returned.</p>

<p>From 2007 to 2009, Dell was Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. On May 27, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Dell to be Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 10, 2009 and sworn-in on July 31, 2009. On September 15, 2012, Ambassador Christopher Dell was appointed the civilian deputy to General Ham, United States Africa Command.</p>

<p>Christopher Dell was confirmed by the Senate to be the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo on July 10, 2009 and he served in Pristina until August 2012. Ambassador Dell currently serves as the Senior Advisor to Fieldstone Africa, a leading independent investment bank in energy and infrastructure. Previously, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy Kabul from 2007 to 2009. Prior to that, Ambassador Dell served as Ambassador to the Republic of Zimbabwe from 2004 until July 2007, and from 2001-2004, he was the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Angola.</p>

<p>Ambassador Dell also served as the Chief of Mission, U.S. Office, Pristina, Kosovo from 2000 to 2001. Prior to this post, he was the Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria from 1997 to 2000; Deputy Director, Office of Regional Political Affairs, Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs from 1994 to 1996; and Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy, Maputo, Mozambique from 1991 to 1994.</p>

<p>In addition, Ambassador Dell served as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for International Security Affairs from 1989 to 1991 and as Executive Assistant to the Special Negotiator for Greek Bases Agreement, Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs from 1987 to 1989. Ambassador Dell was also the Desk Officer for Spain and Portugal, Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs from 1986 to 1987; Staff Assistant, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs from 1985 to 1986; Political Officer, U.S. Embassy, Lisbon, Portugal from 1984 to 1985; Vice Consul, U.S. Consulate, Oporto, Portugal from 1983 to 1984; and Vice Consul, U.S. Consulate, Matamoros, Mexico from 1981 to 1983.</p>

<p>Ambassador Dell has received numerous awards, including the Presidential Distinguished Service Award in 2004 and the State Department’s Robert C. Frasure Memorial Award for his role in helping Angola transition to peace after nearly 40 years of conflict. In 2000, the President of Bulgaria granted Ambassador Dell the Order of the Madara Horseman, First Degree. He was granted the Ghazii Mir Masjidi Khan High State Award by President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, and the Order for Peace, Democracy and Humanism “Ibrahim Rugova” by President Atifete Jahjaga of Kosovo. Upon his retirement, Ambassador Dell was awarded the Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Medal by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also received a Kellett Fellowship from Columbia University (for study at Oxford University) in 1978.</p>

<p>Ambassador Dell graduated in 1980 from Balliol College, Oxford University, where he earned an M.Phil. degree in international relations. He received his B.A. in 1978 from Columbia College, Columbia University, from which he was graduated Magna cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and Bulgarian.</p>