Vincent Biruta (born July 19, 1958) is a Rwandan physician and politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from November 2019 to June 2024.[1][2] He previously served in various other positions in the Rwandan cabinet under Presidents Paul Kagame and Pasteur Bizimungu.
Vincent Biruta | |
|---|---|
 Biruta in March 2022 | |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation | |
| In office 4 November 2019 – 12 June 2024 | |
| President | Paul Kagame |
| Preceded by | Richard Sezibera |
| Succeeded by | Olivier Nduhungirehe |
| Minister for Environment | |
| In office 31 August 2017 – 4 November 2019 | |
| President | Paul Kagame |
| Minister of Natural Resources | |
| In office 24 July 2014 – 31 August 2017 | |
| President | Paul Kagame |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office December 2011 – 24 July 2014 | |
| President | Paul Kagame |
| 1st President of the Rwandan Senate | |
| In office 23 August 2003 – 10 October 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Jean-Damascène Ntawukuriryayo |
| 3rd President of the Transitional National Assembly | |
| In office 19 January 2000 – 23 August 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph Sebarenzi |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Minister of Public Services, Transport and Communications | |
| In office 1999 – 19 January 2000 | |
| President | Pasteur Bizimungu |
| Minister of Health | |
| In office 1997–1999 | |
| President | Pasteur Bizimungu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 19, 1958 Rwanda |
| Political party | PSD |
| Education |
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| Occupation |
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Background and education
editHe was born on 19 July 1958.[3] He is a trained physician. He also holds post-graduate qualifications in planning and management of health services in developing countries, obtained from Université libre de Bruxelles, in Belgium.[4]
Career
editDr. Biruta has a long civil services record in Rwanda, post the 1994 genocide. From 1997 until 1999, he served as the Minister of Health. From 1999 until 2000, he served as the Minister of Public Services, Transport and Communications.[4]
He was the President of the Transitional National Assembly from January 2000 until 2003. From August 2003, until October 2011, he was the first President of the Rwandan Senate, the upper chamber of the bicameral Parliament of Rwanda created in 2003.[4]
In December 2011, he was named the Minister of Education,[3][4] serving in that capacity until July 2014, when he was named Minister of Natural Resources.[5][6] He was appointed Minister of Natural resources on July 24, 2014.[7]
He served as the Minister for Environment from August 31, 2017[8] until his appointment as Foreign Minister in 2019.
As foreign minister, Biruta agreed to implement the Rwanda asylum plan with British Home Secretary Priti Patel.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Mwai, Collins (November 5, 2019). "Kagame names new cabinet ministers". New Times of Rwanda. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ Karuhanga, James (June 14, 2024). "The rise of new foreign affairs minister Olivier Nduhungirehe". New Times of Rwanda. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ a b Munyaneza, James (December 12, 2011). "The hard work that awaits Dr. Vincent Biruta". New Times (Rwanda). Kigali. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
- ^ a b c d WEF (2016). "Vincent Biruta: Minister of Natural resources, Government of Rwanda". Geneva: World Economic Forum (WEF). Retrieved September 18, 2017.
- ^ REMA (July 31, 2014). "Dr. Vincent Biruta, new Minister of Natural Resources kicks off his duties". Kigali: Rwanda Environmental Management Agency (REMA). Retrieved September 18, 2017.
- ^ Administrator (July 24, 2014). "Kagame Sacks Ministers in New Cabinet Reshuffle". Kampala: Chimp Reports Uganda. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
- ^ Times Reporter (July 24, 2014). "Full list of new Cabinet, As at 24 July 2014". New Times (Rwanda). Kigali. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
- ^ Kimenyi, Felly (August 31, 2017). "Rwanda gets new Cabinet, who is in?". New Times (Rwanda). Kigali. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
- ^ Easton, Mark (April 14, 2022). "Rwanda asylum seekers: What does the UK's deal mean?". BBC News. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
External links
edit- Rwanda in crisis as President resigns AP Thursday March 23, 2000.