Amid the heat of widespread military coup d’etat across Africa, Rwandan president, Paul Kagame, has approved the retirement of 95 military generals and senior of officers ficers.
At least 930 other junior soldiers were also retired.
Prominent amongst the retirees is General James Kabarebe, the country’s former Minister of Defence and Chief of Defense Staff.
Rwandan military made disclosure in a statement published on the Rwanda Defense Force’s official website on Wednesday.
Until his retirement, General Kabarebe served as the special adviser to the president on security.
According to Local media reports, some of those retired had attained the retirement age of 65 while others were indicted for misconduct.
“The president has also approved the retirement of 83 senior officers, 06 junior officers and 86 senior NCOS, 678 end of contract and 160 medical discharges,” the statement partly read.
Prior to their retirement, President Kagame promoted a number of lieutenant colonels to the rank of colonels and brigade commanders.
Although the statement did not categorically state the reasons behind the retirement of the military officers, the president had in previous weeks addressed opinion leaders on the need to keep the country united.
He said: “Our history has been an example of how destructive division can be. We have also seen that it is our unity that has led to our country’s transformation.
“We have people who lost their family members, others who have family members who are perpetrators, everyone has suffered the consequences of division.”
Some of the affected the senior military officers are, Gen Fred Ibingira, Lt Gen Charles Kayonga, Lt Gen Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, Maj Gen Martin Nzaramba, Maj Gen Eric Murokore, Maj Gen Augustin Turagara, Maj Gen Charles Karamba, Maj Gen Albert Murasira, Brig Gen Chris Murari, Brig Gen Didace Ndahiro, and Brig Gen Emmanuel Ndahiro.Prominent among the senior military officers are Gen Fred Ibingira, Lt Gen Charles Kayonga, Lt Gen Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, Maj Gen Martin Nzaramba, Maj Gen Eric Murokore, Maj Gen Augustin Turagara, Maj Gen Charles Karamba, Maj Gen Albert Murasira, Brig Gen Chris Murari, Brig Gen Didace Ndahiro, and Brig Gen Emmanuel Ndahiro.