President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has ordered 95 senior military personnel including 12 general as well as 930 junior soldiers to go on compulsory retirement.
This is coming barely two days after the military coup that axed President Ali Bongo from power in Gabon.
Recall the military in Gabon on Wednesday, August 30, deposed Ali Bongo Ondimba from the presidency following the outcome of the 2023 Gabonese general election that was reportedly characterised by malpractice.
According to a statement published on the Rwanda Defense Force’s official website on Wednesday, President Paul Kagame approved the retirement of several RDF generals, including senior presidential advisor on security matters, James Kabarebe.
Local media reports that some of those retired had attained the retirement age of 65 while others were indicted in some misconduct.
The senior military officers also include Fred Ibingira, Charles Kayonga, Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, Martin Nzaramba, Eric Murokore, Augustin Turagara, Charles Karamba, Albert Murasira, Chris Murari, Didace Ndahiro, and Emmanuel Ndahiro.
The statement read in part: “The president has also approved also approved the retirement of 83 Senior Officials, 86 Senior Non-Commissioned Officers, 6 Junior Officers, 678 end-of-contract retirements, 160 soldiers who were discharged on medical grounds.”
Also, in faraway Cameroon, the President, Paul Biya has rejigged the military with new appointments.
This was contained in a statement, signed by Biya, that is being circulated on X, formerly known as Twitter. The statement was written in French, the country’s official language of communication.
The new controllers are Captain Ajeagah Njei Félix Colonel and Colonel Nguema Ondo Bertin Bourger. Appointments were also made to the positions of Technical Advisers, Bureau Commissariat and Air Force Technical Inspector.
