Rwanda: Kagame Promotes 700 Soldiers

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has promoted over 700 soldiers, including four brigadiers who were elevated to the rank of Major General. The identities of the promoted officers were not disclosed by the Defense Ministry. The move comes amid heightened tensions with the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where President Felix Tshisekedi recently announced plans to seek parliamentary authorization to declare war on Rwanda.

Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General to DRC, had warned of a deteriorating security situation in North Kivu province and rising tensions between DRC and Rwanda, increasing the risk of direct military confrontation.

The promotions in Rwanda could be a strategic move to boost the morale of the military in response to the growing security threats in the region. Tensions between Rwanda and DRC involve accusations from both sides, with Kinshasa alleging that Kigali is supporting M23 rebels to destabilize eastern Congo, a charge Rwanda denies. Kigali, in turn, accuses Kinshasa of arming the genocidal militia group FDLR to terrorize Tutsi communities and carry out attacks inside Rwanda.

President Kagame has cautioned that Rwanda has enough “professionals” to conduct a war if necessary. The situation remains complex, with political and military dynamics influencing the regional security landscape.

REF: RDF/MPR/A/10/11/23

Kigali, 19 December 2023

H.E THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF RDF HAS PROMOTED RDF PERSONNEL AS FOLLOWS:

A. PROMOTED FROM THE RANK OF BRIGADIER GENERAL TO MAJOR GENERAL (4 BRIGADIER GENERALS)

B. PROMOTED FROM THE RANK OF COLONEL TO BRIGADIER GENERAL (17 COLONELS)

C. PROMOTED FROM THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL TO COLONEL (83 LIEUTENANT COLONELS)

D. PROMOTED FROM THE RANK OF MAJOR TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL (98 MAJORS)

E. PROMOTED FROM THE RANK OF CAPTAIN TO MAJOR (295 CAPTAINS)

F. PROMOTED FROM THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT TO CAPTAIN  (4 LIEUTENANTS)

G. PROMOTED FROM NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS RANKS TO SECOND LIEUTENANT (226 NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS)