Dr. Mihigo lost to Tanzanian Dr. Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile in a vote conducted by African member states during the 74th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, held in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.
In a heartfelt message shared on his X account on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, Dr. Mihigo described the opportunity to represent Rwanda in the race as a 'lifetime experience".
He further extended his deep appreciation to President Paul Kagame for his unwavering support throughout the process that culminated in the elections on Tuesday.
'It was a lifetime experience to run for the election of @WHOAFRO Regional Director position. The outcome is not what was expected; however, I'd like to sincerely thank HE @PaulKagame for his full support throughout this process,' Dr. Mihigo wrote.
Other candidates in the race included Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo, fronted by Niger, and Dr. Ibrahima Socé Fall of Senegal.
Dr. Ndugulile's nomination will be submitted for appointment by the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board, scheduled for February 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. The newly appointed Regional Director will replace Dr. Matshidiso Moeti. He will serve a five-year term and be eligible for reappointment once.
Strong candidate
Dr. Mihigo was considered a strong candidate for the post due to his rich career profile and extensive education in the medical field.
The 57-year-old has held numerous positions, including advisor roles at WHO, UNICEF, and GAVI (the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization). He also served as an advisor at USAID-Rwanda, working in various health sectors.
He currently serves as the Senior Director of Programmatic and Strategic Engagement at the African Union/Africa CDC. He has held this position at GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance, in Geneva, Switzerland, since March 2024.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
