By Frank Kamuntu
Against the backdrop of the military coup in Gabon that toppled President Ali Bongo on Wednesday morning, Rwanda and Cameroon have announced major shake-up in their security forces with high-ranking military personnel affected.
In Rwanda, President Paul Kagame retired hundreds of soldiers in a move that followed promotions of a number of young soldiers in the country’s security apparatus and appointments of new generals to head army divisions stationed in different parts of the country.
A statement by the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) showed Kagame had “approved the retirement of a dozen generals, 83 senior officers and six junior officers.”
Kagame is said to have also authorized the retirement of 86 senior non-commissioned officers, the statement said.
“At least 678 soldiers were retired after their contracts ended while 160 others were discharged on medical grounds,” the statement said.
According to the statement members of the old guard who fought in Rwanda’s liberation war in 1994 such as Gen. James Kabarebe, Gen. Fred Ibingira and Lt. Gen. Charles Kayonga were not spared. They were also retired.
Both Kabarebe and Kayonga previously served as chief of defense staff of the Rwandan army during separate periods.
Earlier on Wednesday, Kagame also promoted a number of young officers to the rank of colonel and appointed new generals to head military divisions.
Others retired included Lt. Gen. Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, who is Rwanda’s ambassador to Russia, and Maj. Gen. Albert Murasira, a former defense minister.
In June, Kagame appointed Juvenal Marizamunda as defense minister, replacing Albert Murasira, who had served in the post since 2018.
Similarly, one of Africa’s longest serving leaders, President Paul Biya has also made new appointments at the Defense Ministry’s central administrative unit, according to a decree made public on social media.
According to information from a source within the Cameroonian government, the recently appointed senior military leaders in the army now include Ajeagah Njei Felix, Kamdom Lucas, and Nguema Ondo Bertin Bourger, among several others.
Meanwhile, Edou Essono Serge Durel and Moudio Hervé have been newly appointed to positions within Cameroon’s marine corps.
