Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has transferred the powerful Brigadier General Joseph Nzabamwita from the position of Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).
A former army spokesperson, Nzabamwita has been appointed Senior Security Advisor in the Office of the President.
A military strategist, Nzabamwita has been serving as Rwanda’s intelligence chief since 2016.
According to a statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister on Wednesday night, Nzabamwita has been replaced by Aimable Havugiyaremye, Rwanda’s Prosecutor General.
It remains unclear why Nzabamwita was transferred to the President’s office.
However, officials say he had served as the intelligence boss for almost a decade and it was a matter of time for Kagame to bring on board a fresh mind to run the sensitive docket.
The development comes at a time Rwanda is at loggerheads with the Democratic Republic of Congo over the M23 rebellion in the eastern part of the mineral-rich country.
Rwanda is accused of helping M23 rebels, claims Kigali denies.
