There has been alleged panic among African leaders following the military coup that happened in Gabon on Wednesday, making Rwandan and Cameroonian leaders – Paul Kagame and Paul Biya take drastic steps in their respective military formations.
Ali Bongo, the president of Gabon, was deposed in a coup by top military officers, and the coupists named Gen Brice Oligui Nguema as the transitional leader, a development celebrated by the Gabonese.
Following the coup in which Bongo and his family, were detained, Biya, who has served as Cameroon’s president for 40 years, reshuffled his country’s defence portfolios.
Among the posts reshuffled were the delegate to the presidency in charge of defence, air force staff, navy, and the police, as announced on his X social media platform.
Biya announced a reshuffling in the Central African country’s defence ministry.
“Decree appointing officials to the Ministry of Defence,” he wrote on Twitter, now known as X.
One of the posts changed was the delegate to the presidency in charge of defence, navy, police, and air force staff.
The 90-year-old Biya remains one of the longest-serving African leaders as he came to power in a coup d’etat in 1982, and his early rule was marred by reports of oppression and human rights abuses.
The Cameroonian president began his reign in 1982 after a coup. While he later allowed for elections after severe criticisms of oppression and human rights abuses, Biya, 90, has remained president.
In the same vein, Rwandan President, Kagame altered Rwanda’s Defence Force (RDF) as announced on X social media platform, as he approved the retirement of 83 83 military personnel including 12 generals.
They include: General James Kabarebe, General Fred Ibingira, Lt. Gen Charles Kayonga, Lt Gen Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, Maj Gen Martin Nzaramba, Major General Eric Murokore, Major General Augustin Turagara, Major General Charles Karamba, Major General Albert Murasira, Brigadier General Chris Murari, Brigadier General Didace Ndahiro, Brigadier General Emmanuel Ndahiro.
According to the RDF, Kagame also approved the promotion and appointment of some officers to replace the previous office holders.
The Rwandan president has been in power since 2000, and in 2015, Rwanda’s constitution was changed to allow Kagame to remain president until 2034, and also known as one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents.
Rwanda’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lt Gen M Muganga also held meetings with HE Hazza AlQahtani, Ambassador of UAE to Rwanda, and Colonel JE ACHU, Defence Attaché of Cameroon.
“They discussed ways to enhance defence cooperation between their respective countries,” the RDF said in a tweet.