|
Listen to article
|
Rwanda’s military is seeing a major overhaul, with a number of top generals, including a former chief of staff, retiring from service. At the same time, more than 1,000 personnel are being transitioned out of the military, either through retirement or dismissal.
President Paul Kagame, who also serves as commander-in-chief of the army, has given his approval for the retirement of General Jean Bosco Kazura, along with 1,162 other military personnel of various ranks, according to an official army statement released on Friday.
Throughout his 62 years, General Jean Bosco Kazura has accumulated a wealth of military experience, including serving as Rwanda’s Chief of Defence Staff from 2019 to 2023. His notable roles also include advising President Kagame and leading the UN’s peacekeeping efforts in Mali as the head of MINUSMA from 2013 to 2014.
In addition to General Kazura, several other senior military officers have been approved for retirement, including Brigadier Generals John Bagabo, John Bosco Rutikanga, Johnson Hodari, and Firmin Bayingana. These seasoned servicemen have dedicated years of service to Rwanda’s military.
According to a military source, the recent changes within Rwanda’s military leadership come on the heels of a meeting between President Kagame and top military brass, where they discussed the country’s peace and security priorities. Such reshuffles are not uncommon in Rwanda.
The president accused multiple generals in attendance of “lack of discipline”, the source added.
The Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) on Friday laid off 21 senior officers, including division general Martin Nzaramba.
Nzaramba, 57, was “dismissed for corruption and misappropriation of funds intended for the welfare of soldiers during his time as Director of the Basic Military Training Center”, RDF spokesman brigadier general Ronald Rwivanga told online media Igihe.
Rwivanga did not immediately respond to a request for further details.
In June 2023, President Kagame of Rwanda took decisive action, dismissing several senior military officers due to concerns over discipline. This move followed a series of high-level changes, including the replacement of the defence minister, army chief of staff, and land forces chief of staff.
In addition to the high-ranking officers, over 200 soldiers were also dismissed in June 2023 as part of President Kagame’s efforts to address disciplinary issues within the military.
Following his re-election in August, President Kagame has characterized last year’s military reshuffle as a “normal thing”, suggesting that such changes are a regular occurrence in Rwanda’s governance.
Kagame’s presidency has been defined by his efforts to rebuild Rwanda after the 1994 genocide, yet his leadership style has also been criticized for creating an atmosphere of fear and repression.
