Richard Sezibera

Dr. Richard Sezibera is the current Secretary General of the East African Community, an Inter-Governmental Organization bringing together the Partner States of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda. The aim of the Community is ultimately to form a Political Federation, with successive stages of a Customs Union, a Common Market, and a Monetary Union of the Partner States. Dr. Sezibera' s focus has been inter Alia, the removal of internal barriers to trade through a functional Single Customs Territory, free movement of people and labor within East Africa, harmonization of education and training curricular and standards, Coordinated investments in critical infrastructure including rail, energy, Ports and harbors and inland waterway and roads among others. He is a firm believer in the importance of fiscal and monetary policy harmonization to spur financial integration, allow free movement of capital and unleash the entrepreneurial potential of the women and youth of East Africa. He has worked with different stakeholders in East Africa including the Private Sector, Women and Youth, Religious leaders and faith based groups, students, the media and others to make integration truly People Centered and Private Sector driven. The Summit of the East African Community Heads of State appointed Dr. Richard Sezibera, as Secretary General of the East African Community for a five-year term on 19 April 2011. Prior to his current position, Dr. Sezibera served in different capacities in the Rwandan Government. He has served as Minister of Health, Presidential Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region, Ambassador to the United States of America with concurrent accreditation to Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. He was a Member of Parliament for five years, Chairing the Committee on Social Affairs as well as being a member of the Committee on Defense and Security. He participated in the struggle to liberate Rwanda from the fascist regime that committed genocide in 1994. Dr. Sezibera has been a Vice President of the World Health General Assembly, and Chairperson of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa. He has served as a Commissioner on the UNSG's Commission on Accountability for Women and Children's Health. He is a Member of the GAVI Board, and Chairperson of the Board's Program and Policy Committee.