Sezibera Replaces Mushikiwabo as Kagame Drops Police, Defence Chiefs in Cabinet Reshuffle

Former EAC Secretary General, Dr Richard Sezibera is Rwanda’s new Minister for Foreign Affairs replacing Louise Mushikiwabo who was recently elected to head the Francophonie Organisation, IOF.

The appointment of Dr Sezibera is part of a major Cabinet reshuffle by Rwandan President, Paul Kagame.

Sezibera, 54, was the 4th Secretary General of the East African Community until April 2016, when Libérat Mfumukeko of Burundi succeeded him.

In 1995, he became a Member of Parliament. He was elected President of the Parliamentary Commission on Social Affairs, which exercised oversight over the government departments mandated to deal with issues of health. Four years later, he was made Ambassador of Rwanda to the United States of America, with concurrent accreditation to Mexico, Argentina and Brazil.

He served in the Office of the President of Rwanda, as Special Envoy to the African Great Lakes Region and senior adviser to the President of Rwanda.

In other changes made within Rwanda’s Cabinet, Maj Gen Albert Murasira was appointed new Defence Minister replacing General James Kabarebe. The latter is now Senior Defense and Security Advisor in the Office of the President.

Kagame also dropped the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana and replaced him with his Deputy DCG Dan Munyuza. Gasana is new Governor of the Southern Province.

The new IGP is deputised by CP Ntamuhoranye Felix in charge of Operations and Marizamunda Juvenal (in charge of Administration and Personnel).

Col (Rtd) Anaclet KALIBATA who was heading the Immigration and Emigration has been moved to the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

The new Director General of Immigration and Emigration is Lieutenant Colonel Regis Gatarayiha.

The new Cabinet has been reduced from 31 Ministerial positions to 26 and half of them are women.

Below is the list of new Cabinet Ministers

Prime Minister – Dr Ngirente Edouard

Minister of Finance and Economic Planning – Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana

Minister of Infrastructure – Amb. Claver Gatete

Minister of Environment – Dr Vincent Biruta

Minister of Local Government – Prof Anastase Shyaka

Trade and Industry Minister – Soraya Hakuziyaremye

Minister of ICT and Innovation – Paula Ingabire.

Minister of Gender and Family Promotion is now Solina Nyirahabimana.

Minister of Sports and Culture – Nyirasafari Esperence

Minister in Charge of Emergency Management –
Kamayirese Germaine

Minister in the Office of the President – Judith Uwizeye

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister in charge of Cabinet Affairs – Marie Solange Kayisire

Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources – Mukeshimana Geraldine

Minister of Education – Dr. Mutimura Eugene

Minister of Youth – Mbabazi Rosemary

Minister of Justice – Johnston

Minister of Public Service and Labour – Rwanyindo Kayirangwa

Minister for Health – Dr. Gashumba Diane

Minister of State in charge of Social Affairs – Dr Mukabaramba Alvera

Minister of State in charge of Economic Planning – Dr Uwera Claudine

Minister of State in charge of Constitutional and Legal Affairs – Uwizeyimana Evode

Minister of State in charge of Primary and Secondary Education – Dr Isaac Munyakazi

Minister of State in charge of Primary Healthcare – Dr Ndimubanzi Patrick

Minister of State in charge of Transport – Uwihanganye Jean de Dieu

Minister of State in charge of the East African Community – Nduhungirehe Olivier

CEO Rwanda Convention Bureau – Nelly Mukazayire

Minister of ICT and Innovation – Irere Claudette

Head of Rwanda Revenue Authority – Bizimana Ruganintwali Pascal