President Paul Kagame has dropped Gen Patrick Nyamvumba from the docket of Chief of Defence Staff and appointed Gen Jean-Bosco Kazura as the new Rwanda Defence Forces boss.
According to a statement issued by the RDF, 17 top army officers were reshuffled in sweeping changes that saw the new army boss be promoted from the rank of Major General to General, jumping the rank of Lieutenant General. The changes are supposed to take “immediate effect”.
“Maj Gen Jean Bosco Kazura is promoted to the General and appointed the RDF Chief of Defence Staff,” the statement reads.
Gen Fred Ibingira has been reappointed as new Chief of Staff of the Reserve Force.
Ibingira had been replaced in the same position in November last year having first served in the role back in 2010.
He replaces Lt Gen Jacques Musemakweli, who was yesterday appointed the Inspector General of RDF.
Maj Gen Innocent Kabandana, who was until yesterday Commander of Special Operations Force, has been named the Deputy Reserve Force Chief of Staff, according to an RDF statement released last night.
Brig Gen Didas Ndahiro has been appointed the new Commandant of RDF Command and Staff College – Musanze, replacing Gen Kazura.
Ndahiro was until yesterday the Commander of Artillery Division.
Also appointed is Brig Gen Ephrem Rurangwa, who becomes the Commandant of Rwanda Military Academy – Gako. Rurangwa has been serving as Chief J4 (Logistics).
Brig Gen James Ruzibiza, who was until yesterday the Chief J9 (Civil-Military Relations), was promoted from Colonel and appointed Commander of Engineering Brigade.
Karusisi Ruki has been elevated from Colonel to Brigadier General and appointed Commander of Special Operations Force, replacing Maj Gen Kabandana.
Brig Gen Ruki was until yesterday Deputy Commander of Special Operations Force.
The Commander-in-Chief also appointed Col Joseph Karegire as Chief J3 (Operations and Training), Col Faustin Kalisa as Chief J1 (Personnel), and Col Adolphe Simbizi as Chief J4 (Logistics).
Col Karegire was until yesterday Commander of Military Police, while Col Kalisa and Col Simbizi were serving as Commander, Engineering Brigade, and Director, Patrimony at the Ministry of Defence, respectively.
Col Jean-Paul Karangwa was named the new Commander of Military Police, replacing Col Karegire, while Patrick Karuretwa was promoted to Colonel up from Lieutenant Colonel. Karuretwa is Principal Private Secretary to the President.
Lt Col Emmanuel Kanobayire was promoted to Colonel and effectively appointed Second in Command of Special Operations Force. He has been serving as a battalion commander in Special Operations Force.
Also promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel is Jules Rwirangira, who was also appointed Commander of Artillery Division.
Lt Col Lausanne Ingabire was named Chief J9. She has been serving as Director of Gender in J9.
Also promoted is Regis Rwagasana Sankara who has been elevated to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel up from Major, three weeks after he emerged the best student in the latest cohort of graduates of the RDF Command and Staff College – Musanze.
Kagame also replaced the minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Richard Sezibera with Dr. Vincent Biruta who has been the minister of Environment.
