Gabon coup: Rwanda, Cameroon carry out major changes in military
By Aremu Sosanya, With Agency Report
Rwanda and Cameroon have carried out some major changes in reaction to the military coup that sacked President Ali Bongo from power in Gabon.
The coup which took place on Tuesday night shocked the world and forced many nations, including the United Nations and the African Union, to condemn the actions of the military.
The coup in Gabon was the latest in a series of military coups that have seen democratically elected leaders removed from the seat of power in Niger Republic, Mali, Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Guinea-Bissau.
According to the News Times (Rwanda), President Kagame has approved the retirement of several RDF generals, including senior presidential advisor on security matters, Gen. James Kabarebe.
The senior military officers also include Gen Fred Ibingira, Lt Gen Charles Kayonga, Lt Gen Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, Maj Gen Martin Nzaramba, Maj Gen Eric Murokore, Maj Gen Augustin Turagara, Maj Gen Charles Karamba, Maj Gen Albert Murasira, Brig Gen Chris Murari, Brig Gen Didace Ndahiro, and Brig Gen Emmanuel Ndahiro.
No reason was given for their unplanned retirement, only that it is suspected to help arrest the whirlwind of military coups currently spreading within the African continent.
In Cameroon, President Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1975 to help prevent his country from being on the coup list, decided to reshuffle the military with new appointments.
An official document coming from the president himself made its way to Twitter.
The document is in French, the official language of communication and instruction in Cameroon.
