The Middle East Institute is pleased to announce that Jacques Roussellier has joined the Public Policy Center as an Adjunct Scholar. Roussellier, currently a specialist with the World Bank Group, served as spokesman for United Nations peacekeeping operations in Western Sahara from 1999-2001. During his tenure in Western Sahara, Roussellier was actively involved with UN operations in the region, organized and implemented the mission’s public relations strategy, and developed relationships with key constituents and regional actors.

“With his extensive first-hand experience in and knowledge of Western Sahara, Jacques will be a valuable asset to our Public Policy Center,” said MEI Vice President David L. Mack.

Prior to his position in Western Sahara, Roussellier worked with UN peacekeeping operations in Tajikistan and the Central African Republic. He also served as a human rights advisor for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), where he coordinated the organization’s international elections observers and participated in OSCE missions to investigate human rights violations in Croatia, Moldova, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Roussellier is the author of several articles, including “Quicksand in the Western Sahara? From Referendum Stalemate to Negotiated Solutions,” which will be published in the journal International Negotiation in 2005.

Roussellier received a master's degree in theology from the University of Geneva (1984) and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University (2003).