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Cameroon, Rwanda Presidents Sack Military Chiefs, Others
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, aged 65, and 90-year-old Cameroonian President Paul Biya have dismissed their military chiefs as a preventive measure against recent power takeovers seen in Niger and Gabon.
According to their official statements, President Kagame removed around 200 military chiefs, including high-ranking generals James Kabarebe, Fred Ibingira, Charles Kayonga, and Frank Mushyo Kamanzi.
Additionally, 83 senior officers, 06 junior officers, and 86 senior non-commissioned officers were retired, along with 678 end-of-contract officers.
Furthermore, 160 officers were discharged on medical grounds. This action follows President Kagame’s reputation for suppressing media and opposition activities.
In Cameroon, Mr. Biya, who primarily resides in Switzerland, is taking no chances with his hold on the country.
He swiftly reorganized the army, air force, and marine officers.
The extensive changes in both Cameroon and Rwanda occurred shortly after the coup in Gabon, where soldiers ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba and detained him at home.
It’s notable that neither Kagame nor Biya made direct mention of the recent coups in Niger and Gabon in their decisions.
Notably, the soldiers who seized control in Niger in late July are facing sanctions from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Despite these measures, the junta has not yielded to pressure to reinstate the democratically elected leadership.
On Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Biya shared a statement on Twitter, revealing that he had enacted a decree to dismiss certain soldiers and reassign others within the nation’s defense department.
The recently appointed senior military leaders for the army encompass figures like Ajeagah Njei Felix, Kamdom Lucas, and Nguema Ondo Bertin Bourger, among others.
In the Cameroon marine division, Edou Essono Serge Durel and Moudio Hervé were among the newly selected officers.
Taking office in 1982 at 49, Mr. Biya has maintained leadership over the nation since. Prior to his presidency, he held the position of prime minister from 1975 to 1982.
Despite his lengthy tenure, critics argue that his administration has not significantly influenced the Cameroonian economy.
In recent years, as his health has declined due to advancing age, Mr. Biya has been residing in his Swiss mansion, using it as a base to govern his country of approximately 30 million people.
Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is set to address a world press conference at his residence in Abuja on Friday.
The specific reason for the media briefing has not been disclosed as of the time of filing this report.
SEE ALSO: Mambilla: ICC Orders Sunrise Power to Pay Nigeria $11.8m After 9-Year Battle
Atiku’s planned engagement comes amid several developments attracting public attention, including a recent report from TheCable concerning a $500,000 payment allegedly transferred in 2003 to his former wife, Jennifer Douglas, by Leno Adesanya, promoter of Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.
TheCable reported that Adesanya told an international arbitration tribunal that the payment was part of a foreign-exchange transaction carried out for Atiku.
The report further stated that the payment was made through China Castle Investments Limited, an offshore company controlled by Adesanya.
The development comes shortly after an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) tribunal ruled in favour of Nigeria in the $2.35 billion arbitration dispute brought by Sunrise Power over the Mambilla hydropower project.
The tribunal also ordered Sunrise Power and its promoter to reimburse Nigeria for a portion of its legal fees and expenses.
However, there is currently no official indication that Atiku’s scheduled press conference is connected to the Sunrise Power report, the arbitration ruling or any other specific issue.
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that no one found culpable in the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State will be shielded.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance in a statement released on Friday while expressing the Federal Government’s condolences to the Niger State Government, the families of the deceased and the people of the Wushishi community.
The deaths occurred following the arrest of the suspected illegal miners during enforcement operations against illegal mining activities in the Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Niger State.
ALSO READ: 37 Miners’ Deaths: Interior Minister Arrives Minna, Set to Inspect Detention Centre
Idris said the circumstances surrounding the deaths require a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation, stressing that the government’s responsibility is to establish the facts and ensure justice is served.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had ordered the suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and directed a full investigation into the incident.
“The swift action taken by the Honourable Minister of Interior underscores the seriousness with which the Federal Government views this matter,” Idris said.
He added that the investigation would be allowed to establish exactly what happened and that appropriate action would be taken based on its findings.
“There will be no attempt to shield anyone found culpable. At the same time, we mustn’t prejudge the outcome of the investigation. The Government’s responsibility is to ensure that the facts are established and that justice is served,” the minister said.
Idris stressed that while the Federal Government remains committed to combating illegal mining and other unlawful activities, enforcement operations must be conducted within the law and with respect for human life and dignity.
He appealed for calm in Wushishi and across Niger State, urging residents and other concerned parties to allow the investigation to proceed without interference.
The minister also assured the families of the deceased and the people of Niger State that the Federal Government shares in their grief and remains committed to fully establishing the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday arrived at the Niger State Government House in Minna following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The minister’s visit comes as pressure mounts on authorities to explain the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the detainees.
SEE ALSO: How Can 37 Suspected Illegal Miners Die in Gov’t Custody? Nigerians Demand Answers
Tunji-Ojo is expected to meet with officials of the Niger State Government as part of his visit to the state.
He is also expected to proceed to the detention centre where the suspected illegal miners were held before their deaths.
The incident has sparked public concern and protests in Minna, with residents demanding answers over the deaths of the detainees while in government custody.
The Federal Government has ordered an investigation into the incident, while the Niger State NSCDC commandant has been suspended pending the outcome of the probe.
Details shortly…….
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