Chris Muhizi Minembwe Capital News Thursday/June 8/2023.
Following the nomination of a new defense minister, army chief, and director of internal security on Wednesday, Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced a series of dismissals to the military.
Major General Aloys Muganga and Brigadier General Francis Mutiganda, two long-serving generals, were fired for “indiscipline,” according to an army spokesman, Ronald Rwivanga, who talked to local media.
The Rwanda Defence Force released a statement saying that “an additional 14 officers were also dismissed along with more than 200 others.”
The RDF statement stated that “Kagame has also authorized the dismissal of 116 other ranks and approved the rescission of 112 other ranks,” adding that the actions took effect right away.
Without providing any justification, Kagame had announced on Tuesday a reorganization of many important security positions.
According to a statement from his office, Kagame also nominated Vincent Nyakarundi as the army chief of staff and Mubarak Muganga as the new chief of the defense staff.
He declared that Juvenal Marizamunda had been named defense minister, taking Albert Murasira’s place, who had held the position since 2018.
The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) named Jean Bosco Ntibitura director general in charge of internal security.
The leadership structure of the Rwandan military, which has been operating in Mozambique since 2021 to quell a violent insurrection, has also undergone adjustments.