HARARE – The Finnish Government has appointed Timo Olkkonen, former Head of the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe, as the new Deputy Director General of the Department for Africa, the Middle East and Latin America in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
The appointment was confirmed during the Government’s session on Thursday.
Olkkonen will assume the post on 1 September 2025 for a fixed term ending 31 August 2029. He currently serves in the European External Action Service, having also led the EU Delegation in South Sudan.
“The Government appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Timo Olkkonen to serve as Deputy Director General of the Department for Africa, the Middle East and Latin America for a fixed term from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2029,” the Finnish government announced.
“Olkkonen transfers to the post of Deputy Director General from the European External Action Service, where he has served as Head of EU Delegation in Zimbabwe and in South Sudan.
“Previously, he served as Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Lusaka in 2014–2018 and as Director of the Unit for General Development Policy and Planning at the Department for Development Policy in 2010–2014.
“In addition, Olkkonen has inter alia worked as a national expert at the European Commission’s Directorate-General responsible for development cooperation, at Finland’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels and at Finland’s Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.”
The seasoned international diplomat, who holds a Master of Arts degree, welcomed his appointment posting on his X handle, “I am honoured for the trust placed in me and looking very much forward to serving @Ulkoministerio (Ministry for Foreign Affairs) and Finland in this new capacity.”
Olkkonen served as the EU representative to Zimbabwe from 2018 to 2022. During his tenure, he frequently condemned state violence against the opposition and the shrinking of democratic space.
Before he left Zimbabwe, Olkkonen warned President Emmerson Mnangagwa not sign the controversial Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) Amendment Bill into a law before holding wider consultations with all stakeholders.
In April this year, Mnangagwa signed the Bill into law, ushering in sweeping changes to Zimbabwe’s regulatory framework for civic groups and NGOs.
The legislation amended key laws, including the PVO Act, the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act, and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
It granted authorities wide-ranging powers to monitor and control NGOs, scrutinise ownership and funding, and impose severe penalties, including prison terms of up to 35 years for offences such as illicit financing or misrepresentation.
