By Foday Moriba Conteh
Bryan David Hunt was officially sworn in as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Sierra Leone, on August 23, 2023, marking the beginning of his diplomatic mission in this West African nation.
Ambassador Hunt brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the U.S. Transportation Command from July 2022 to July 2023. His dedication to Foreign Service is evident in his extensive career, which includes several key positions within the U.S. Department of State.
From August 2019 to July 2022, Ambassador Hunt served as the Office Director for South Sudan and Sudan in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs. During this period, he also assumed the role of Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Africa and the Sudans from January 2021 to October 2021.
Ambassador Hunt’s international experience is equally impressive. He served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the American Embassy in Maputo, Mozambique, from August 2016 to July 2019, and held a similar position at the American Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana, from August 2013 to July 2016. In Guyana, he was accredited to the Caribbean Community, broadening his regional diplomatic engagement.
His diplomatic journey also took him to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, where he served as Deputy Chief of Mission from July 2011 to July 2013. In this role, he managed bilateral relations with Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Ambassador Hunt’s previous assignments included a tenure as Principal Officer at the American Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan, from July 2006 to July 2009.
Ambassador Hunt, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the title of Minister Counselor, has held a range of roles contributing to U.S. foreign policy. His earlier overseas assignments encompassed positions such as Counselor for Political Affairs at the American Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan (July 2009 – October 2010); Political Officer at the American Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan (August 2004 – July 2006); Political Officer at the American Embassy in Maputo, Mozambique (August 2000 – August 2002); Consular and Commercial Officer at the American Embassy in Gaborone, Botswana (September 1998 – August 2000); and Political, Economic, and Consular Officer at the American Embassy in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau (September 1996 – June 1998).
Within the United States, Ambassador Hunt has undertaken pivotal domestic roles, including Deputy Director for Regional and Security Affairs in the Department of State’s Africa Bureau (October 2010 to July 2011) and Desk Officer for Angola in the Department of State’s Africa Bureau (September 2002 – August 2004).
A native of Newport News, Virginia, Mr. Hunt holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from the American University School of International Service. His educational journey also saw him engaged in graduate work in international development at the Elliot School of Foreign Affairs at George Washington University, a testament to his commitment to enhancing international relations.
Ambassador Hunt is multilingual, proficient in Portuguese, with limited knowledge of German and Urdu. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his exceptional contributions, receiving accolades such as the State Department’s Distinguished Honor Award, Superior Honor Award, Meritorious Honor Award, and Franklin Award. He has also been honored with the U.S. Coast Guard’s Meritorious Public Service Award and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Distinguished Civilian Service Award.
Ambassador Hunt’s distinguished background and dedication to diplomacy position him as a valuable representative of the United States in Sierra Leone as he undertakes his new role.
