President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has granted approval for the retirement of 12 army generals, a move that includes the influential former Defence Minister, Gen James Kabarebe. Born in Uganda, Kabarebe, who presently serves as a senior presidential advisor on defence, had previously been a part of Uganda’s armed forces and played crucial roles in Rwanda’s liberation from the Juvenal Habyarimana regime.

Kabarebe notably directed military operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which resulted in the downfall of President Sese Seko Mobutu. The Ministry of Defence in Rwanda released a statement confirming that President Kagame has also approved the retirements of Gen Fred Ibingira, the former Chief of Staff for Reserve Forces, and Lt Gen Charles Kayonga, the former Chief of Defence Staff. Kayonga had also served as Rwanda’s Ambassador to China in 2019.

A graduate of Makerere University, Kayonga had actively participated in the RPF war that brought an end to the 1994 genocide. Furthermore, Lt Gen Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, the former Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), has also been included in the list of retirees and was appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to Russia in 2019.

Additional generals who have retired include Maj Gen Martin Nzaramba, former Director of Gabiro School of Infantry; Maj Gen Eric Murokore, Reserve Force commander; and Maj Gen Augustin Turagara, the Commandant of the RDF General Headquarters. The roster of retirees also encompasses Maj Gen Charles Karamba, the former Air Force Chief of Staff; Maj Gen Albert Murasira, the former defence Minister; and Brig Chris Murari, formerly the contingent commander of Rwandan battalions engaged in the conflict-ridden region of Darfur, Sudan.

Also among those stepping down are Brig Didas Ndahiro, the Commandant of Rwanda Defence Command and Staff College, and Brig Emmanuel Ndahiro, the former spy chief. These retirees constitute the older generation of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).

The rationale behind the simultaneous retirement of multiple RDF generals has yet to be clearly defined. Nonetheless, sources have disclosed that a number of the retired officers voluntarily requested retirement to facilitate the infusion of new leadership into the armed forces.

“Some of these Generals are of an advanced age and it was only natural for them to step down,” a Rwandan insider shared, citing examples such as Gen Kabarebe, aged 64, and Kayonga, aged 61.

Kagame has progressively implemented structural adjustments within the armed forces over recent years, aiming to promote youthful commanders to the helm of the military. In 2017, Kagame had retired former spy chiefs, Lt Gen Karenzi Karake and Maj Gen Jack Nziza.

In a recent development on Tuesday evening, Kagame appointed seasoned commanders to assume leadership of divisions encompassing the capital city, Kigali, amidst escalating security tensions with the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Notable appointments include Maj Gen Emmy Ruvusha to head the 1st Division, overseeing Kigali City and the Eastern Province; Maj Gen Eugene Nkubito, who takes charge of the 3rd Division covering the western division; and Brigadier Pascal Muhizi, newly appointed as commander of the 2nd Division.

Brigadier Vincent Gatama has been named as the new head of the 4th Division, responsible for the southern province.