In the aftermath of the recent military coup that ousted President Ali Bongo in Gabon, neighboring countries Rwanda and Cameroon have swiftly undertaken significant changes within their own military ranks. The coup, which sent shockwaves globally, led to condemnations from international bodies such as the United Nations and the African Union. The Gabon coup is part of a concerning trend of military takeovers in African nations, including Niger Republic, Mali, Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Guinea-Bissau.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has authorized the retirement of multiple high-ranking RDF (Rwandan Defense Force) generals, including prominent figures like senior presidential security advisor James Kabarebe. Other notable military officers, such as Fred Ibingira, Charles Kayonga, and Martin Nzaramba, have also been included in the list of retirees. Although the reason for their sudden retirement remains undisclosed, it is speculated that this move is aimed at curbing the increasing wave of military coups across the African continent.
In a similar vein, President Paul Biya of Cameroon, who has been in power since 1975, has taken measures to restructure the military apparatus to prevent his country from falling victim to the coup trend. President Biya’s official document, shared via his Twitter account, outlines a series of military reshuffles and appointments. These changes involve the reassignment of soldiers within the country’s defense department and the appointment of new senior military leaders in both the army and marine corps.
This proactive response from Rwanda and Cameroon reflects the growing concern over the instability caused by military coups and the determination of these nations to safeguard against such disruptions. As the region closely observes the evolving situation, it remains to be seen whether these measures will contribute to maintaining political stability and preventing further instances of military intervention
