Amid the backdrop of ongoing coups in Africa, Rwanda has taken significant action by retiring more than 600 military officers, according to Anadolu Agency’s report. President Paul Kagame has orchestrated this move, which follows recent promotions of young soldiers within the country’s security apparatus and appointments of new generals to lead various army divisions across Rwanda.
In a transformative shift, the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) released a statement revealing Kagame’s approval for the retirement of twelve generals, 83 senior officers, and six junior officers. Furthermore, 86 senior non-commissioned officers have also been authorized for retirement by Kagame. Of note, a considerable number of retired individuals are veterans of Rwanda’s liberation war in 1994, including figures like Gen. James Kabarebe, Gen. Fred Ibingira, and Lt. Gen. Charles Kayonga. Notably, Kabarebe and Kayonga have both previously served as chief of defense staff of the Rwandan army.
In parallel developments, Kagame has also elevated several young officers to the rank of colonel and assigned new generals to lead military divisions. Among those retired are Lt. Gen. Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, currently Rwanda’s ambassador to Russia, and Maj. Gen. Albert Murasira, a former defense minister. These changes come on the heels of Kagame’s appointment of Juvenal Marizamunda as defense minister, replacing Albert Murasira in June.
In Cameroon, President Paul Biya, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, has also made new appointments within the Defense Ministry’s central administrative unit, as conveyed through a decree shared on social media platforms.