Kigali, Rwanda — Protais Mitali, a veteran Rwandan politician and former high-ranking government official, has died in Belgium after a brief illness. His passing has been confirmed by close sources and is being widely mourned by political leaders and citizens alike.
Mitali was a well-known figure in Rwanda’s post-genocide leadership. He served in several key positions, including as Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, and later as Minister of Commerce, Industry, Investment Promotion, Tourism and Cooperatives. During his time in government, Mitali was recognized for promoting economic reforms, youth engagement, and national unity.
In 2015, he was appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, a role that also positioned him as the country’s representative to the African Union (AU). His diplomatic efforts played a key role in strengthening Rwanda’s ties with regional bodies and neighboring nations during a crucial period of political and economic transformation across the continent.
In addition to his government and diplomatic roles, Protais Mitali was the long-serving president of the Liberal Party (Parti Liberal – PL), one of Rwanda’s registered political parties. Under his leadership, the party contributed to Rwanda’s inclusive governance framework. He stepped down from the party leadership in 2015, after nearly a decade of steering its political direction.
Mitali’s contributions spanned multiple sectors — from sports development and youth empowerment to trade and international diplomacy. His leadership helped guide Rwanda through critical years of reconstruction and growth, particularly in the early 2000s when the nation was consolidating peace and stability.
While official funeral arrangements have not yet been released, tributes continue to pour in from former colleagues, political parties, and members of the public. Many have described him as a committed public servant, a skilled negotiator, and a patriotic leader.
His death leaves a legacy of leadership and service that shaped Rwanda’s modern identity on both national and international platforms.
