Paul Kagame has given Colonel Stanislas Gashugi a big promotion. Rwanda's president made him a Brigadier General and immediately put him in charge of the Special Operations Force. This new job became available because Major General Ruki Karusisi left the position. The military sent Karusisi back to work at Defense Headquarters instead.
Nobody has said exactly why Karusisi lost his command job. Many people think this change helped Rwanda reorganize its special forces because of the dangers in nearby countries. Reports claim Rwanda's special forces under Karusisi worked inside Congo helping M23 rebels. Rwanda says these reports are false. Countries around the world want Rwanda to pull its soldiers out of Congo and stop helping armed groups there.
Some experts believe this leadership switch might show Rwanda cares about international pressure. They see it as a possible sign Rwanda wants to change how it uses special forces or deal differently with Congo issues. Gashugi brings plenty of experience to his new job. The military promoted him from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel back in May 2021. They sent him to Tanzania as Defense Attaché then. Before his latest promotion, he ran operations at RDF Headquarters.
Karusisi has built an impressive career with Rwanda's best military units. He once led operations for the Republican Guard, which protects President Kagame and important buildings. The military made him a colonel in 2018 and second-in-command of Special Operations. His fast rise continued when he became brigadier general in 2020. Later, they made him a major general with full control of Special Operations. Karusisi has family connections - his sister, Dr. Diane Karusisi, runs the Bank of Kigali, a major bank in Rwanda. Bringing him back to headquarters might mean Rwanda wants to review its missions or reset its strategy during regional problems.
Nobody has said exactly why Karusisi lost his command job. Many people think this change helped Rwanda reorganize its special forces because of the dangers in nearby countries. Reports claim Rwanda's special forces under Karusisi worked inside Congo helping M23 rebels. Rwanda says these reports are false. Countries around the world want Rwanda to pull its soldiers out of Congo and stop helping armed groups there.
Some experts believe this leadership switch might show Rwanda cares about international pressure. They see it as a possible sign Rwanda wants to change how it uses special forces or deal differently with Congo issues. Gashugi brings plenty of experience to his new job. The military promoted him from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel back in May 2021. They sent him to Tanzania as Defense Attaché then. Before his latest promotion, he ran operations at RDF Headquarters.
Karusisi has built an impressive career with Rwanda's best military units. He once led operations for the Republican Guard, which protects President Kagame and important buildings. The military made him a colonel in 2018 and second-in-command of Special Operations. His fast rise continued when he became brigadier general in 2020. Later, they made him a major general with full control of Special Operations. Karusisi has family connections - his sister, Dr. Diane Karusisi, runs the Bank of Kigali, a major bank in Rwanda. Bringing him back to headquarters might mean Rwanda wants to review its missions or reset its strategy during regional problems.
