Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has undertaken a significant reshuffle by appointing new military and intelligence chiefs in the country.
The reshuffle saw the appointment of Maj Gen Juvénal Marizamunda as the new defense minister, replacing Maj Gen Albert Murasira, who had held the position since 2018.
Additionally, Lt Gen Mubarakh Muganga has been appointed as the new army chief, taking over from Gen Jean Bosco Kazura, who had been leading the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) since November 2019.
It is noteworthy that the simultaneous dismissal of a defense minister and an army chief is an uncommon occurrence in Rwanda. However, no specific reasons have been provided for the reshuffle.
In previous instances of senior military personnel changes, President Kagame would occasionally provide hints publicly about the underlying motivations.
Alongside these key appointments, President Kagame also named new officials for positions such as the army chief of staff (land forces) and the head of military intelligence.
Furthermore, he made changes to the top commanders overseeing the Rwandan troops deployed in Mozambique, where they are assisting in the fight against militant Islamists.
President Paul Kagame’s recent reshuffle signifies a significant shift in the leadership of Rwanda’s military and intelligence sectors, although the specific reasons for these changes remain undisclosed.