Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou -- Obituary

It is with deep sadness and the utmost respect that we bid farewell to Mohammad Mahmoud Mohamedou, distinguished professor of international history at the Graduate Institute in Geneva and visiting professor at the University of St. Gallen. Mahmoud has accepted our invitation to join the School of Economics and Political Science as a visiting professor in 2020. His relationship with the University of St.Gallen is the result of an initiative of the Master's Programme in International Affairs and Governance (MIA): He was invited by MIA students to teach a course on "State-Building and War-Making in the Developing World". Given the success of the course, he returned a year later to teach it again. Mahmoud's academic contributions and dedication to research not only enriched his field, but also inspired countless students and colleagues. Thinking international relations beyond the West, his work on the transformation of warfare, political liberalisation and transitions to democracy filled a critical gap in the curriculum. Students and faculty alike valued his deep knowledge of state-building in Africa and the Middle East, as well as his important contributions to the debate on racism and international relations. Known for his intellectual curiosity, generosity in sharing knowledge and unwavering commitment to education, Mohammed's impact was felt and recognised in academia worldwide. Our thoughts are with his family and all those who cherished him.

Further information can be found in the tributes by his home university the Geneva Graduate Institute (Link) and Le Temps (Link).

Prof. Dirk Lehmkuhl
Dean of the School of Economics and Political Science (SEPS)