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"Mehdi is an exceptional journalist and a proven leader who is equally at ease writing stories or shooting video,” said Global News Director Phil Chetwynd. “Throughout his AFP career he has shown an unshakeable commitment to field reporting – first as a text reporter in France and the Middle East, and later as a video journalist in Latin America. As a manager he has been a key member of the team behind the success of AFPTV and our work to make our journalism relevant for the digital age," added Chetwynd.

Mehdi Lebouachera, 45, has worked in Nicosia, Jerusalem, Gaza, Baghdad, then in Central America and Mexico as a video journalist, before becoming Chief Video Editor for Latin America. He was then appointed Global Chief Video Editor in Paris before being appointed, in September 2021, Chief Editor for the Asia-Pacific region, overseeing 250 journalists in 26 countries.

Mehdi’s deputy will be Jennie Matthew, 45, who has been appointed Deputy Global News Editor to replace Chris Otton, who will become Chief Editor for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Jennie, currently Chief Editor for Africa, was previously head of the English Desk in Paris and a member of the Global Editor-in-Chief’s team. She has had a long career abroad: reporter in New York, Deputy Bureau Chief in Islamabad and correspondent in Khartoum and Jerusalem.

Mehdi Lebouachera will start his new job after the US elections on 5 November. This is when Sophie Huet will begin her full-time role of boosting innovation at AFP and guiding the Agency through the changes sparked by the platforms, social media, and artificial intelligence.