Rwandan appointed secretary-general of East African Community

Kigali, Rwanda (PANA) – Rwanda's Health minister, Dr Richard Sezibera, has been appointed secretary-general of the East African Community (EAC) for a five-year term, replacing Tanzanian Juma Volter Mwapachu, official sources told PANA on Tuesday in Kigali.

The appointment of Dr Sezibera, 47, was officially announced during the summit of the five heads of State of the sub-regional grouping that ended on Tuesday in the Tanzanian capital, Dar es Salam.

Mr Sezibera, a medical doctor by profession, has performed several duties in the Rwandan political sphere as special envoy of president Paul Kagamé to the Great Lakes region and Rwanda’s ambassador to Washington.

The summit also named the deputy governor of the Tanzanian central bank, Enos Bukuku, as deputy secretary. He replaces Rwandan Aloys Mutabingwa.

The East African Community, which started with three countries - Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda - admitted Rwanda and Burundi in November 2006.

Burundi is the current chairmanship of the sub-regional grouping.
-0- PANA TWA/TBM/MSA/MA 19April2011