For Immediate Release, May 26, 2010
Contact:  Allison Sturma, 202/429-4725 or asturma@usip.org
                Lauren Sucher, 202/429-3822 or lsucher@usip.org

(Washington) -- The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) announces two changes to its Iraq team, affecting operations in its Washington, D.C. and Baghdad offices. Effective immediately, Manal Omar has been named director of USIP's Iraq program, and Sean Kane has joined the team as program officer. Both will be based in the Institute's Washington, D.C. office and travel to Iraq several times a year.

Manal Omar joined USIP’s staff in 2008 as a program officer in the Grants program, where she oversaw the application and implementation process for $2,156,404 in grants and contracts awarded in Iraq. She has over 13 years of experience living and working throughout the Middle East, including three in Iraq. She also comes with more than seven years experience working to support women in post-conflict areas.  In her new position at USIP, Omar will oversee both D.C. and Baghdad operations, setting priorities, managing the budget, supervising staff and ensuring the creation and implementation of dozens of projects.

Sean Kane joins USIP after having worked for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq from 2006 to 2009. In this capacity he researched and advised Iraqi officials on disputed internal boundaries, the review of Iraq’s constitution, provincial elections, and oil and revenue sharing issues. In addition to his time in Iraq, Kane has worked on different aspects of conflict resolution including peace processes, economic growth, and development in the Middle East, southern Africa and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Bill Taylor, vice president for post-conflict and stability operations, said, “Manal and Sean are terrific additions to our Iraq team. They both bring tremendous on-the-ground experience, a record of research and great credibility on Iraq issues.”

USIP opened its Baghdad office in 2004. Staff there, with support from USIP's D.C. Iraq team, promote stability in Iraq by providing grants, work on property and land policies, helping judicial experts, facilitating community discussions, training facilitators, and empowering local organizations. For more information on USIP's work in Iraq, please visit http://www.usip.org/countries-continents/iraq.

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The United States Institute of Peace provides the analysis, training and tools that help to prevent, manage and end violent international conflicts, promote stability and professionalize the field of peacebuilding.