In the wake of the recent military coup in Gabon, neighboring countries Cameroon and Rwanda have also witnessed significant political changes within their military and security apparatus.
Cameroon’s President, Paul Biya, who holds the distinction of being Africa’s second-longest-ruling president, has made major changes in the country’s military leadership just some hours after military officers staged a coup in Gabon.
The reshuffle includes appointments to the internal and external services of the Ministry of Defense, such as the delegate to the presidency in charge of defense, air force staff, navy, and the police.
Recall that Biya is the second-longest-ruling president in Africa, the longest consecutively serving current non-royal national leader in the world and the oldest head of state in the world.
Among the posts reshuffled were the delegate to the presidency in charge of defence, air force staff, navy, and the police. He announced the changes on social media platform, X.
Biya aged 90 came to power in a coup d’etat in 1982 and has remained president since he rode to power.
Also, shortly after the Gabon coup, Rwanda’s defence force (RDF) announced on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter, that President Paul Kagame approved the retirement of 83 senior officers.
According to the RDF, Kagame also approved the promotion and appointment of some officers to replace the previous office holders.
Meetings between Rwanda’s chief of defence staff, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ambassador to Rwanda, and the defence attaché of Cameroon were also held to discuss ways “to enhance defence cooperation between their respective countries”.
