Rwandan president has appointed Brigadier General Stanislas Gashugi as the new commander of the Special Operations Force, a move signaling a strategic refresh in the country’s top security ranks. President Paul Kagame promoted Gashugi from Colonel on March 15 and reassigned his predecessor, Major General Ruki Karusisi, to the Ministry of Defence headquarters.
Gashugi steps in with a strong operational pedigree. He recently served as Chief of Operations at RDF Headquarters and earlier represented Rwanda as Defence Attaché in Tanzania. He has also worked within regional joint security frameworks, gaining first-hand insight into the challenges shaping the Great Lakes region.
His rise has been steady. In 2021, he was elevated from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel and has since been positioned in roles that demand both tactical command and diplomatic sensitivity. That trajectory makes him a natural fit to lead one of Rwanda’s most capable units.
Karusisi’s move to headquarters suggests experience is being repositioned, not sidelined. His background in elite units and operational leadership means he will likely remain influential in shaping national defense priorities.
This shift arrives at a tense moment for the region. Instability in eastern DRC continues to threaten cross-border security, diplomatic messaging is sharper than usual, and Rwanda appears to be reinforcing both readiness and agility. Special Forces often sit at the heart of that approach.
With Gashugi now in command, the RDF is signaling continuity in strength while adjusting its strategy to respond to a rapidly changing environment. Rwanda is clearly preparing for what comes next rather than reacting to what has already happened.
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