Rwanda President Approves Retirement of Military Personnel Following Gabon Coup.
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has given his approval for the retirement of 95 military generals and senior officers, alongside 930 junior soldiers. This decision comes in the wake of the recent military coup in Gabon, which saw the ousting of President Ali Bongo Ondimba merely 48 hours ago.
Read Also End of an Era: Renowned Musician, “Mama Kaap” Sylvia Mdunyelwa dies
The development in Rwanda was made public through an official statement on the Rwanda Defense Force’s website on Wednesday. The statement, while not explicitly linking the retirements to the events in Gabon, coincided with the upheaval in the Central African nation. Among the notable retirees is James Kabarebe, a senior presidential advisor on security matters.
Local reports have indicated that those retiring include individuals who have reached the retirement age of 65, as well as others who faced allegations of misconduct during their service. Notable senior military officers such as Fred Ibingira, Charles Kayonga, Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, Martin Nzaramba, Eric Murokore, Augustin Turagara, Charles Karamba, Albert Murasira, Chris Murari, Didace Ndahiro, and Emmanuel Ndahiro were part of those who received approval for retirement.
Read Also Update: Appeal Court Directs Delta State Tribunal to Reassess Ken Pela Case
Furthermore, the statement revealed a comprehensive list of retirements across various ranks. President Kagame has sanctioned the retirement of 83 Senior Officials, 86 Senior Non-Commissioned Officers, 6 Junior Officers, 678 end-of-contract retirements, and 160 soldiers who were discharged on medical grounds.
The move echoes a larger trend across the African continent, where several nations have recently experienced military coups leading to the removal of democratically elected leaders. Countries such as Niger Republic, Mali, Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Guinea-Bissau have all witnessed similar upheavals, raising concerns about the stability of democratic governance in the region.
While the connection between the Gabon coup and the retirement of military personnel in Rwanda remains unclear, the sequence of events underscores the ongoing shifts in leadership dynamics across Africa. As both domestic and international observers watch closely, the repercussions of these changes are likely to shape the political landscape of the continent in the coming months.
