23 Facts About Azarias Ruberwa

Azarias Ruberwa Manywa was born on August 20,1964 and is a Congolese politician, lawyer, and public figure.

Azarias Ruberwa has been the leader and president of RCD-G's political party since 2003.

Azarias Ruberwa is a member of the Banyamulenge community of South Kivu who belong to the Tutsi ethnic group.

Azarias Ruberwa belongs to the Banyamulenge community which is a part of the Tutsi ethnic group.

Azarias Ruberwa spent his early years in Minembwe, South Kivu before moving on to Katanga Province to finish high school and college.

Azarias Ruberwa attended the University of Lubumbashi where he received his LLB, specializing in economics and social law and finishing with highest distinction.

Azarias Ruberwa practiced law in Lubumbashi until the war began in 1996.

Azarias Ruberwa is credited with writing Laurent-Desire Kabila's victory speech after the fall of Lubumbashi, often described as the turning point of the war, as well as writing Kabila's inaugural speech.

Once the war ended, Azarias Ruberwa was appointed Chief of Staff to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bizima Karaha.

Azarias Ruberwa first served as Chief of Cabinet for the RCD's Department of Exterior Relations.

Azarias Ruberwa later became a member of the executive committee and the Deputy Head of the Department of Exterior Relations.

Azarias Ruberwa was eventually appointed RCD Secretary General in October 2000, which effectively made him the de facto political leader of the organization.

Azarias Ruberwa did not become president of the RCD movement until after the transitional government began in July 2003.

Under the Sun City Peace Deal, a power-sharing transitional government was formed and Azarias Ruberwa was named Vice President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, along with Jean-Pierre Bemba, Arthur Z'ahidi Ngoma, and Abdoulaye Yerodia Ndombasi.

Vice President Azarias Ruberwa was given executive control of political affairs, defense, and security.

One of the most difficult decisions Vice President Azarias Ruberwa had to make came on the night of August 13,2004.

Azarias Ruberwa previously served on the board of Mercy Ships from 2010 to 2019.

Azarias Ruberwa continues to serve on several other boards such as The International Leadership Foundation, Congo Family Restoration, The Congolese National Prayer Breakfast Group, and a few other organizations.

Azarias Ruberwa has spoken at numerous conferences, seminars and universities throughout Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America.

In November 2016, Azarias Ruberwa returned to the DRC government as the Minister of Decentralization and Institutional Reforms.

Azarias Ruberwa has been lauded for adopting a strong interdependence approach that favors empowering provincial and local officials in each province and helping them become less dependent on the national government.

Azarias Ruberwa served as the Interim Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals after Alexis Thambwe Mwamba stepped down to become the President of the Senate.

Azarias Ruberwa further served as the Acting Prime Minister for several weeks between June and July 2019, while Bruno Tshibala took a medical leave of absence.