President Paul Kagame on Saturday, March 15, named Brigadier General Stanislas Gashugi the Commander of the Special Operations Force (SOF), replacing Maj Gen Ruki Karusisi.

Gashugi, who was until yesterday serving as Head of Operations (Chief J3) of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), was also promoted from the rank of Colonel.

"His Excellency the President of the Republic of Rwanda and Commander-In-Chief of the RDF has promoted Col Stanislas Gashugi to the rank of Brigadier General and appointed him Special Operations Force (SOF) Commander, with immediate effect,” an RDF statement, released in the wee hours, Saturday, March 15, reads in part.

Maj Gen Karusisi reports to RDF HQs for deployment, the statement added.

Brig Gen Gashugi has served in different capacities including directing staff at senior command and staff courses, before being appointed as a member of the EAC joint verification team.

Previously, Brig Gen Gashugi represented Rwanda at the regional Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism, a DR Congo-based military intelligence body comprising several countries.

He also served as Defence Attache to Tanzania.