Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame, has approved the retirement of 12 army generals, including influential figures like Gen James Kabarebe, Gen Fred Ibingira, and Lt Gen Charles Kayonga. These generals played significant roles in various military operations and diplomatic posts.
Gen James Kabarebe, who was a key player in Rwanda’s liberation and also involved in military actions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been retired. Additionally, Gen Fred Ibingira and Lt Gen Charles Kayonga, who held high-ranking positions in the military, are among those stepping down.
Other retired generals include Lt Gen Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, who served as Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, and Maj Gen Martin Nzaramba, former Director of Gabiro School of Infantry. The mass retirement has raised questions about the reasons behind this decision, though officials have indicated that many of the generals requested retirement to make way for younger leaders.
President Kagame has been gradually introducing structural changes within the armed forces to bring in new leadership. He appointed new commanders to divisions around the capital, Kigali, to address security concerns with neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
