US President Donald Trump has nominated former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer Nicholas “Nick” Checker to serve as the next United States ambassador to Rwanda, pending confirmation by the US Senate.
The nomination was formally submitted to the Senate on July 21, marking the start of the confirmation process required for ambassadorial appointments.
If confirmed, Checker will replace Eric Kneedler, who left the post in January 2026 after serving as US ambassador to Rwanda since October 2023.
A seasoned national security and foreign policy official, Checker has extensive experience in African affairs. He served as a CIA officer from 2014 to 2025, focusing on security and conflict issues in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa. He also worked in the agency’s Office of Congressional Affairs, liaising with lawmakers on intelligence matters.
Checker later joined the US Department of State, where he oversaw partnerships with Southern African countries and managed foreign assistance programs. He also held a leadership role in the Bureau of African Affairs.
During Trump’s first term, Checker served as Deputy Executive Secretary at the National Security Council, where he supported the coordination of US national security policy.
Under the US appointment process, ambassadorial nominees must first be vetted by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee before their nominations are considered by the full Senate. Once confirmed, they are formally appointed by the president.
Checker holds a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in security studies from Georgetown University.
