UK Appoints Rebecca Fabrizi as New Ambassador to South Sudan

The United Kingdom has appointed veteran diplomat Rebecca Fabrizi as its next ambassador to South Sudan, replacing David Ashley, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) announced Tuesday.

Fabrizi is expected to take up her post in Juba in October, bringing more than three decades of diplomatic experience across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Pacific.

She currently serves as deputy director in the FCDO’s Africa Directorate, a position she has held since 2025. Earlier this year, she briefly served as acting British high commissioner to Malawi. Before that, she was the UK’s special envoy for Small Island Developing States and headed the Caribbean and Small Island Developing States Department.

Since joining the former Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1994, Fabrizi has held a series of senior diplomatic assignments, including postings in Beijing, Geneva, Rome, Brussels and Belgrade. She also served at the Australian National University in Canberra and has held several policy roles in London, including in the Africa, China and European Union departments.

Her appointment comes as the United Kingdom continues to support South Sudan through diplomatic engagement, humanitarian assistance, peacebuilding efforts and development cooperation.

Fabrizi will succeed David Ashley, who has served as the UK’s ambassador to South Sudan.

The FCDO announced the appointment on Aug. 4, saying Fabrizi will officially assume her new role in October.