Martine Kessy Ekomo-Soignet is Peace Direct's Local Correspondent for Central African Republic. She has over four years of experience in the political and development sectors. After the UNDP (in DRC) and UNESCO (in France), she worked two years as Project Officer for the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) in France where she focuses on the Health Africa Club. She returned to Central African Republic to work with civil society with a special focus on youth organizations. Martine Kessy holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Social and Political studies and a master’s degree in Geopolitics, International Security and International Relations. She completed the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders in 2014 and was one of 100 Fellows competitively selected to participate in an 8-week internship in the United States following the Mandela Washington Fellowship academic institute.