November 6, 2019//-President Paul Kagame has dropped Richard Sezibera as minister of Foreign Affairs, replacing him with long-serving Minister of Environment Vincent Biruta, in a major Cabinet reshuffle announced Monday evening.
Mr Sezibera had been undergoing treatment since July this year and until Monday’s reshuffle, his duties had been temporarily be assumed by State Minister for Regional Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe.
Mr Sezibera had served in Foreign Affairs having replaced Louis Mushikiwabo, who is now stationed in France as the head of the La Francophonie.
His replacement, Mr Biruta, 60, is a seasoned politician who has served in several ministerial positions, and as president of the senate.
He is also the president of the Social Democratic Party – one of the many minor parties in coalition with the ruling party, Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).
He takes over the ministry in the middle of an ongoing reconciliation process with Uganda, as the two countries seek to normalise diplomatic relations.
