NEWS RELEASE

CPA Secretary-General Dr William F. Shija dies in London, UK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4 October 2014: The Commonwealth Parliamentary Associations
Secretary-General, Dr William Ferdinand Shija, died this morning, October 4, 2014 in London,
United Kingdom at the age of 67.

Dr Shija served as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association from January
1, 2007 to October 4, 2014. He was the first black African Secretary-General in the Associations
history.

Dr Shija was educated in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania at Changombe Education College where he
received a Diploma in education. He pursued his studies further in New Delhi, India, where he
obtained a BA and a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism. He also has a Masters Degree and PhD in
Mass Communication from Howard University in Washington D.C., USA.

He served as Lecturer and Principal Lecturer at Nyegezi Social Development College from 1978 to
1990 and a Tutor at the Civil Service College in 1972. He also worked as Senior Instructor at Tabora
Secretarial College from 1972 to 1976.

Prior to joining the CPA, Dr Shija served as a Member of the National Assembly of Tanzania from
1990 to 2005. During this time, he also served as a Minister in the following ministries: Industry and
Trade, Energy and Minerals, Information & Broadcasting, Science, Technology and Higher
Education.

He also held the position of Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee from 1999 to 2005 and of
Member and Chairman of the Committees on Education, Culture, Tourism and Human Resources at
the Pan African Parliament from 2004 to 2005.

He authored numerous academic, government and parliamentary policy papers in political economy,
education, communications and development issues. He also served as head of the African Union
Observer Team at the Malawi 2004 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.

As the CPA's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Shija was responsible for the interpretation and
implementation of the CPAs policies as well as the enhancement of its activities. He headed a team
of 13 staff members at the CPA Secretariat, located in London, United Kingdom.

Dr Shija was born on 28 April 1947. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Getruda Peter Shija, and 5
children.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Secretariat
Suite 700, Westminster House, 7 Millbank, London SW1P 3JA, United Kingdom
Phone: 44-20-7799-1460 Email: hq.sec@cpahq.org Fax: 44-20-7222-6073