The US on Monday announced a new ambassador to Rwanda. Erica J. Barks-Ruggles, a career diplomat in the US Foreign Service, has been appointed to the position.

She will be replacing ambassador Donald W. Koran, who has held the post since August 8, 2011.

Barks-Ruggles has been the Consul General of the US in South Africa, a post she had held since August 2011, according to a statement.

Prior to her appointment as Consul General, Barks-Ruggles was deputy to the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Washington, D.C. She has also served in several human rights and political-economic policy positions in the US State Department since in 1991.

Her appointment awaits confirmation from the US Senate.