Christopher William Dell
Deputy to the Commander for the Civil-Military Activities
United States Africa Command
Christopher Dell a senior U.S. diplomat is Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Activities (DCMA) of United States Africa Command. Ambassador Dell was appointed as the civilian deputy to the Commander on September 15, 2012.
As U.S. Africa Command’s DCMA, Ambassador Dell directs the command’s plans and programs associated with health, humanitarian assistance and de-mining action, disaster response, security sector reform, and Peace Support Operations. He also directs Outreach, Strategic Communication and AFRICOM’s partner-building functions, as well as assuring that policy development and implementation are consistent with U.S. Foreign Policy.
Previously, he served as the Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo from 2009 to 2012. He served as Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy Kabul from 2007 to 2009. Prior to that, Ambassador Dell was the 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.
A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, with the rank of Career Minister, 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.
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.
Ambassador Dell has received numerous awards, including the Ibrahim Rugova Peace Medal by the President of Kosovo, Kosovo’s highest order.He also received the Meritorious Service Medal of the Kosovo Security Force for his contributions to the development of the KSF upon the completion of his service in 2012. Ambassador Dell was awarded the Presidential Distinguished Service Award in 2004 and in 2003 he received the State Departments Robert C. Frasure Award for his role in helping Angola through the aftermath of its civil war. In 2000, the President of Bulgaria granted Ambassador Dell the Order of the Madara Horseman, First Degree. Ambassador Dell also received a Kellett Fellowship from Columbia University (for study at Oxford University) in 1978.
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.