Wohlers, Laurence D., 1955-

Laurence D. Wohlers (born 1955) is a retired American diplomat. He notably served as U.S. Ambassador to the Central African Republic (2010-2013).

In his early Foreign Service career, Wohlers served in many different nations, including the Central African Republic, Mauritania, Madagascar, Japan, Belgium and Benin. He held the positions of Minister Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, and Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Mission to the European Union. In 2008, during a transition period between U.S. administrations, Wohlers took the post of Executive Assistant to the Under Secretary for Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy. He then joined the Smithsonian Institution for a year as a Senior Advisor for International Activities.

In 2010, he was named by President Obama to be the U.S. Ambassador to the Central African Republic, remaining there until he directed the post’s evacuation in December, 2012, prior to the takeover of the capital by rebel forces. His ambassadorship formally ended on August 1, 2013. After retiring, he returned to the Central African Republic as the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for the new peace-keeping mission there. During 2016, he served as a senior advisor to NGO Search for Common Ground, which advocates for conflict resolution around the world.

After serving on the board of the Youth For Understanding USA group for three years, Wohlers became its chairman of the board. He also serves on the editorial board of the Foreign Service Journal and continues to advise the State Department on conflict resolution questions in Africa.

Wohlers earned a B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis and an M.S. from the National War College in Washington, D.C. He is married to Ann Van Steenberge. They have three children. His brother, Paul D. Wohlers, served as U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia from 2011 to 2015.