Boris Becker has come in diplomatic honors. The three-time Wimbledon winner was appointed Special Attache for Sport and Cultural Affairs in the European Union by the Central African Republic on Thursday.
“I feel very honoured that this challenging task has been brought to my attention,” said Becker at the handover of his office at the Embassy in Brussels by President Faustin Archange Touadera and Ambassador Daniel Emery Dede.
Becker is getting involved in a country that continues to suffer serious violations of human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of the press. According to the Federal Foreign Office, the African country is one of the poorest in the world and has virtually no infrastructure.
After the political upheaval in March 2013, the supply situation of the population has deteriorated drastically once again. The country is almost entirely dependent on international aid.
President Touadera, in office since 2016, emphasised that he was “extremely pleased that a world star like Boris Becker, with his extensive international relations, has agreed to accompany our country, which has been on the move since the beginning of my presidency.
The appointment of Becker, who will carry out his activities on a voluntary basis, is intended to “set another sign of peace and stability” in the state of just under 4.7 million inhabitants.
Becker promised that in his new function he would “do everything in his power” to support Touadera on his way. With its international network and relations, its aim is “to make a contribution to making the country safe and liveable for the population”.
He was convinced that the management of the refugee crisis in Europe could only be significantly improved by improving living conditions in the regions and countries affected by the withdrawal.