United States President Barack Obama has nominated a retired army major to be the new US Ambassador to Zimbabwe.

According to Obama said Charles Aaron Ray is a “talented and dedicated individual” and looked forward to working with him “to strengthen our relationships in the global community and our standing in the world”.

He replaces fellow African American James McGee who leaves Zimbabwe next week.

Ray’s appointment comes at a watershed moment for Zimbabwe following the first government-to-government talks between the two countries after almost a decade of frosty relations.

Ray, a member of the Foreign Service since 1983, has been the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Prisoners of War/Missing Personnel Affairs and Director of the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office since 2006.