 Mindaoudou was made an exception because it was considered important to maintain continuity in the conduct of foreign affairs.Her term as foreign minister ended in March 2010 when the transitional cabinet of Mahamadou Danda took office.She was appointed as Deputy Joint Special Representative (Political) in the African Union–United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Chairperson of the African Union, Jean Ping, on 13 May 2011.