Protais Mitali, a prominent figure in Rwanda’s political and diplomatic circles, has died in Belgium at the age of 62. He passed away on Friday after a prolonged illness, ending a decade-long stay in the European country where he had lived since 2015.
Born in 1963 in the former Gitarama Prefecture, Mitali held several high-level positions throughout his career.
He served as Rwanda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia until 2015 and had earlier held key ministerial roles, including Minister of Culture and Sports, Minister of Youth, and Minister of Trade, Industry, Investment Promotion, Tourism, and Cooperatives.
Before entering government, Mitali had served in the military and was later elected as a Member of Parliament. His career spanned Rwanda’s transformative post-genocide era, during which he played a part in shaping the country’s development and diplomatic engagements.
Following his departure from official duties, Mitali kept a low profile, reappearing publicly in 2019 during a session in the Belgian Parliament organized by Ibuka Mémoire & Justice Belgique.
The event focused on advocating for survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, a cause he remained committed to even in exile. His death marks the passing of a seasoned public servant whose legacy spans governance, diplomacy, and cultural preservation.
