WA | Francophone Africa in Western Australia Forum

Her Excellency Mrs. Wassane ZAILACHI Ambassador of His Majesty the King Mohammed VI of Morocco to the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand and several Pacific Island States
Mrs Zailachi was appointed Ambassador of His Majesty the King Mohammed VI of Morocco to Australia, New Zealand, Tuvalu, Fiji, Nauru, Samoa, Vanuatu, Tonga, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Papua-New-Guinea in December 2021.
A career diplomat, she has served the Kingdom of Morocco for many years during which she held various positions. Among those, and prior to her appointment as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United-States of America (2009 – 2012), she was Deputy Director for North American Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rabat (2002 – 2009).
Mrs Zailachi served as Consul General of the Kingdom of Morocco in Montreal – Canada (2012 – 2015), as well as Director of the first Moroccan Cultural Centre in North America.
Her first overseas assignment was at the Moroccan Embassy in Paris – France (1992 – 1998).
Mrs Ambassador was involved in various initiatives and participated in numerous conferences, notably, the launch meeting of the “Mediterranean Network of Women Mediators” at Rome – Italy in 2017, the Moroccan-CARICOM Countries Meeting on South-South Cooperation, and the first Ministerial Meeting of the “Forum for the Future” which goal is to bring together the countries of the Broader Middle East, the North African countries (BMENA) and the G8 member countries, co-chaired by Morocco and the United States.
Ambassador Zailachi is a recipient of two awards recognizing her service to Morocco and the countries she covered:
– The Golden Leaf of Merit of Canada (2008).
– The US – Morocco Friendship Award (2009).
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the American University of Paris – France (1984) and obtained a Masters Degree in the same field from Boston University – USA, two years later.
Mrs Zailachi is married to Mr Mernissi and a mother of two children.

Lucile brings 20 years’ global experience in industry decarbonisation; in operations in power utilities; in renewable energy project development, engineering, procurement, and construction; in original equipment manufacturing; in inclusion and diversity.

Since joining in 2022, Lucile authors Fortescue climate transition plan and influences business decisions to align with 1.5°C world through data informed advice and latest climate science.

Elliot Luke specialises in international commercial arbitration, investor-State arbitration, and public international law. He has particular experience acting for corporate clients in disputes under international investment treaties relating to investments in Latin America and Africa.
Elliot has experience across a variety of sectors, including mining, oil and gas, energy, pharmaceuticals, and technology. He has acted in international arbitrations under the ICSID, UNCITRAL, ICC, AAA and LCIA Rules. In addition to acting in international arbitration proceedings, Elliot also advises clients on investment structuring, including the investment protections available under relevant bilateral investment treaties and free trade agreements. Elliot also maintains an active pro bono practice, with a particular focus on public international law, including international environmental law and international human rights law.

Elliot speaks fluent Spanish and is proficient in French and Portuguese. He is admitted to legal practice in Victoria and New York, and as a Special Legal Consultant in the District of Columbia.

Mamadou Coulibaly, co-founder and Managing Partner of Satis Partners, has more than 14 years of experience in advising global companies as registered Lawyer or as In-House counsel. He specializes in corporate law (M&A) and tax law.

He has a broad experience on corporate finance acquisitions and equity investments within the mining sector, particularly gold mines, as well as a range of investment banks and intermediaries including Scotiabank, World Bank and International Finance Corporation.

Mamadou has undertaken numerous think tank advisory roles in relation to the mining sector which makes him experienced in dealing with transactions.

Mamadou’s experience involves advising corporates and funders on the investment in and development of natural resources projects. Mamadou has advised on the funding and acquisition of projects across Mali at various stages of development from initial exploration to expansion of production facilities. All such investments also include a review of the local laws and regulations applicable especially on all tax aspects.

Rodolphe specialises in international commercial arbitration, investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS), government negotiations, mediation, and public international law. His dispute prevention & resolution practice encompasses Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, and North America.

He advises parties to high-stakes cross-border disputes, projects, and transactions in a wide range of industries and jurisdictions. In addition to energy, resources, and infrastructure, he has a specific focus on outer space activities, esports & video games, the cannabis industry, and the Taiwanese market.

He has acted as counsel, arbitrator, and tribunal secretary under most of the main arbitration rules, including the ICC, UNCITRAL, ICSID, LCIA, SIAC, HKIAC, CIETAC, AAA/ICDR, SCC, NAI, WIPO's UDRP, and Swiss Rules. He is registered as an arbitrator with the ICC (France), LCIA, AIAC/KLRCA, CAAI, and PIAC.

He also has experience handling international trade disputes (WTO) and award enforcement & execution proceedings, including against sovereign states.