Shortly after a military coup unfolded in Gabon, Cameroonian President Paul Biya, one of Africa’s oldest leaders at 90 years of age, has undertaken significant alterations within the Cameroonian army. President Biya, who has held power since 1975, has reshuffled the military, resulting in new appointments within the Ministry of Defence. The precise factors behind these changes remain uncertain.
An official document issued by President Biya has circulated on Twitter, communicating the adjustments in the Cameroonian military.
In a parallel development, Rwanda has also witnessed substantial shifts in its security forces. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has retired numerous soldiers and promoted young personnel within the country’s security apparatus. This reshuffling aligns with the appointments of new generals to oversee army divisions stationed across Rwanda.
In Rwanda, the retirements encompass a dozen generals, 83 senior officers, and six junior officers, as authorized by Kagame. The move affects both members of the old guard who participated in Rwanda’s liberation war in 1994 and more recent figures within the country’s defense ranks.
In Cameroon, President Biya has made new appointments within the Defense Ministry’s central administrative unit, as unveiled through a publicly shared decree.
These developments underline the swift responses of regional leaders in response to shifts in their neighboring countries’ political and military landscapes.