Africa CDC names Ambassador Tordeta Ratebaye as strategic advisor to strengthen health security diplomacy

ETHIOPIA—The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has appointed Ambassador Tordeta Alexandre Ratebaye as Strategic Advisor to the Director General on Legal Affairs, External Relations, and Strategic Negotiations.

The appointment strengthens the institution’s leadership capacity at a time when Africa CDC is expanding its role in continental and global health governance.

It also supports ongoing efforts to position Africa as a stronger voice in international health decision-making frameworks and policy negotiations.

The role will focus on enhancing legal coordination, deepening institutional partnerships, and supporting high-level diplomatic engagement across African Union (AU) member states and global partners.

Extensive Experience in Diplomacy and Governance

Ambassador Ratebaye brings decades of experience in diplomacy, public international law, governance, and multilateral negotiation.

From March 2017 to March 2025, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Cabinet of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

In this capacity, he coordinated strategic initiatives aligned with Agenda 2063 and facilitated Africa’s engagement with key global institutions, including the United Nations and the European Union, as well as members of the UN Security Council.

Previously, he served as Director General for Legal Affairs and Litigation, where he represented Chad in complex legal, political, and security negotiations.

In that role, he advised on international obligations, contributed to bilateral and multilateral agreements, and supported negotiations on legal instruments, memoranda of understanding, peacekeeping arrangements, and regional security frameworks.

Advancing Africa’s Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda

The Africa CDC stated that the appointment aligns with its broader Africa Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda, which seeks to strengthen the continent’s preparedness and response systems for public health emergencies.

The institution is also working to reinforce collaboration with AU organs, member states, and global partners to improve coordinated health responses.

In recent months, Africa CDC has intensified its focus on pandemic preparedness, disease surveillance, and emergency response coordination across the continent, reflecting lessons learned from recent outbreaks and global health disruptions.

These priorities have driven increased investment in institutional capacity and cross-border cooperation mechanisms.

Leadership perspective on the appointment

H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, described Ambassador Ratebaye as a rare blend of legal expertise, diplomatic leadership, and strategic negotiation experience.

He emphasized that such expertise is essential as Africa CDC continues to expand its institutional influence and strengthen partnerships in global health governance.

He further noted that the appointment reflects Africa CDC’s commitment to mobilizing high-level African expertise to advance health sovereignty, improve coordination among member states, and reinforce Africa’s collective voice in global health negotiations.