Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has carried out a significant reorganization by appointing new leaders for the military and intelligence sectors.

Maj Gen Juvénal Marizamunda has been chosen as the new defence minister, replacing Maj Gen Albert Murasira, who had held the position since 2018.

Lt Gen Mubarakh Muganga has been appointed as the new army chief, taking over from Gen Jean Bosco Kazura, who had been leading the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) since November 2019.

It is uncommon for both the defence minister and army chief to be replaced simultaneously in Rwanda.

No specific reasons have been provided for the reshuffle. In the past, President Kagame would sometimes hint publicly about the motives behind such changes in the military leadership.

In addition to these changes, the president also appointed a new army chief of staff for land forces and a new head of military intelligence.

Furthermore, the top commanders of Rwandan troops deployed in Mozambique to combat militant Islamists were also replaced in a separate decision.