Rwanda Retires 12 Generals, Cameroon Reshuffles Defense Ministry After Gabon Coup

The Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) has retired 12 generals and others in a bid to reshuffle the military while Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has made changes to the Central African country’s Ministry of Defence.

The moves are as a result of the Gabon coup, the most recent in a series of military takeovers in Africa.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the RDF said President Paul Kagame has retired 83 military personnel including 12 generals.

They are: General James Kabarebe, General Fred Ibingira, Lt. Gen Charles Kayonga, Lt Gen Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, Maj Gen Martin Nzaramba, Major General Eric Murokore, Major General Augustin Turagara, Major General Charles Karamba, Major General Albert Murasira, Brigadier General Chris Murari, Brigadier General Didace Ndahiro, Brigadier General Emmanuel Ndahiro.

Kagame also approved the promotion and appointment of some officers to replace them, RDF further said. The moves are effective immediately.

The Rwandan president, who has been in power since 2000, is one of the continent’s longest-serving leaders. A 2015 amendment to the country’s constitution means he can stay in power until 2034.

Rwanda’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lt Gen M Muganga also had meetings with HE Hazza AlQahtani, Ambassador of UAE to Rwanda, and Colonel JE ACHU, Defence Attaché of Cameroon.

“They discussed ways to enhance defence cooperation between their respective countries,” the RDF said in a tweet.

Just before RDF’s statement, Biya announced a reshuffling in the Central African country’s defence ministry.

“Decree appointing officials to the Ministry of Defence,” he wrote on X.

One of the posts changed was the delegate to the presidency in charge of defence, navy, police, and air force staff.

The Cameroonian president started his reign in 1982 after a coup. While he later allowed for elections after severe criticisms of oppression and human rights abuses, Biya, 90, has remained president.