Youssef Mahmoud

Youssef Mahmoud is a Visiting Professor at the African Leadership Centre (ALC), King’s College London, appointed since 2015. He specializes in leadership for peacebuilding and mediation, contributing to the ALC’s 'Practice of Leadership' programme. Previously, he served as a UN Under-Secretary-General, leading peace operations in Burundi, the Central African Republic, and Chad. His career includes roles as UN Resident Coordinator in Guyana and Director in the UN Department of Political Affairs. Currently, he advises the International Peace Institute (IPI) on sustainable development and peace operations, focusing on mediation and prevention strategies.

Research interests center on conflict resolution, African security policy, and the intersection of global governance with peacebuilding. He co-authored the UN HIPPO Panel report (2015) and led a strategic review of the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (2019). His 2021 book, *Whose Peace Are We Building?*, explores leadership challenges in African peace efforts.

Key recent engagements include keynote addresses at King’s Global Institutes on Africa’s global agency (March 2024) and book launches highlighting peace leadership in African contexts. His work emphasizes multilateral collaboration and African-led solutions to security challenges.