Citation
President Fithian, I have the honor of presenting Ambassador Libérat Mfumukeko, former Secretary General of the East African Community, presidential adviser, economist and CEO, and proud alumnus of Clark’s School of Management.
Ambassador Mfumukeko, you are a true champion for the people of East Africa. Fueled by your personal history as a child refugee from Burundi, you have dedicated your professional career to creating the kinds of economic and social opportunities that improve lives across nations.
During your five-year term, you served with great passion and empathy as the Secretary General of the East African Community, mobilizing essential resources and catalyzing action to meet the needs and feed the aspirations of the citizens of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Uganda. These countries became the focus of over $20 billion in new investments and projects, and the EAC provided over $3 billion in additional support to programs in infrastructure, health, education, and other sectors.
Your actions as CEO of the Burundi Investment Promotion Agency led to the creation of more than 30,000 new jobs in Burundi in just two years.
You also have served with distinction as Principal Adviser to the President of the Republic of Burundi, and through your nonprofit, “Excellence in Education Development,” you drove the creation of Bujumbura International University, which gives students from poor families access to an education that otherwise would have eluded them. Your recent appointment to the World Bank, where you represent 22 countries, allows you yet another opportunity to improve the prospects of your fellow Africans.
Ambassador Mfumukeko, you are an endless source of inspiration, and we are honored to recognize you for your contributions on behalf of so many.
Mr. President, on behalf of the trustees, faculty, students, and staff of Clark University, I request that the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, be conferred on Ambassador Libérat Mfumukeko.