Rwanda, Cameroon retires senior military officers hours after Gabon coup
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Rwanda and Cameroon announced major changes in their security forces Wednesday affecting high-ranking military personnel after a coup in Gabon
Rwanda and Cameroon announced major changes in their security forces Wednesday affecting high-ranking military personnel after a coup in Gabon.
President Paul Biya of Cameroon has reshuffled the army hierarchy within the central administration of the Ministry of Defence.
The reshuffle comes shortly after a military coup took place in Gabon.
Biya, who is 90 years old and has been in power since 1982, has made a number of changes to the military leadership.
The new Chief of Defence Staff is Major General Cyrille Atangana, who replaces General Joseph Beti Assomo. Atangana is a close ally of Biya and is seen as a loyal and experienced officer.
The reshuffle is seen as an attempt by Biya to consolidate his power and prevent a coup in Cameroon.
The coup in Gabon has raised concerns about the stability of other countries in the region, including Cameroon.
Biya’s reshuffle has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have welcomed the changes, saying that they are necessary to strengthen the military and prevent a coup.
Others have criticized the reshuffle, saying that it is a sign of Biya’s insecurity and that it will only alienate the military.
It remains to be seen whether Biya’s reshuffle will be enough to prevent a coup in Cameroon.
The country is facing a number of challenges, including an ongoing conflict with separatists in the Englishspeaking regions and a struggling economy. If Biya is unable to address these challenges, it could increase the risk of a coup
In Rwanda, President Paul Kagame retired hundreds of soldiers in a move that followed the promotions of a number of young soldiers in the country’s security apparatus and the 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.”
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Kagame 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 indicated that many 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 among the retirees.
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.
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