Omar Ahmed Abenza

Omar Ahmed Abenza

Director of Global & Field Programs at CIVIC

Omar Ahmed Abenza is currently serving as Director of Global & Field Programs at CIVIC, where he oversees CIVIC field programs aiming to enhance protection of civilians through engagement with civilians and military in conflict settings. 

From 2020 to 2024 he was Head of Africa and Deputy Head of MENA & LatAm at Geneva Call, leading operations seeking to strengthen compliance with humanitarian norms and IHL by armed actors. He previously spent over a decade with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in field and leadership roles and later served on the MSF Board. Omar has also worked with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with UN agencies including IOM and UNDP.

He holds a PhD at the University of Valencia on Humanitarian Diplomacy in Islamic contexts, a BA in Economics (University of Valencia & University of Nantes) and an MA in Global Diplomacy (SOAS, University of London). His academic interests include International Humanitarian Law, Protection of Civilians, and the dynamics of Armed Groups.