Ms. Markussen is a Danish diplomat with extensive experience in African affairs and EU external relations, both at Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European External Action Service (EEAS). Currently, she serves as Denmark’s Special Envoy to the Sahel and Great Lakes. Between 2016 and 2023, she held several senior positions within the EEAS, most notably as Head of the EU Delegation to the African Union and EU Ambassador to the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Previously, she served as Denmark’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and the Central Africa Republic, as well as Director for Africa at Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.