Following unending military coup in African countries, some leaders have started taking proactive steps by reshuffling military positions in thier regions.
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.
Cameroon President Paul Biya made major changes to the country’s ministry of defence.
Among the posts reshuffled were the delegate to the presidency in charge of defence, air force staff, navy, and the police.
Biya came to power in a coup d’etat in 1982. His early years on the saddle were marred by reports of oppression and human rights violations.
Although he subsequently allowed multiparty elections in the country, the 90-year-old has remained president since he rode to power.
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”.
In 2015, Rwanda’s constitution was changed to allow Kagame to remain president until 2034.
The 65-year-old has been in power since 2000 and is one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents.
The decisions of Kagame and Biya to reshuffle their militaries came a few hours after soldiers seized power in Gabon, punctuating the 53-year hold on the country by President Ali Bongo’s family.
Bongo had just been re-elected to a third term in office in the Central African nation. The opposition had described the electoral process as “fraudulent”.
The military takeover, according to the statement released by the officers under the aegis of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions, cited “serious institutional, political, economic and social crises” as among the factors responsible for the coup.
