Four top RDF officers suspended

Four top military officers were on Tuesday suspended and put under house arrest due to indiscipline, according to a stament from the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF).

Wednesday, January 18, 2012
CW: Gen. Fred Ibingira, Wilson Gumisiriza, Richard Rutatina and Col. Dan Munyuza. The New Times / File

Four top military officers were on Tuesday suspended and put under house arrest due to indiscipline, according to a stament from the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF).

"The RDF leadership has suspended from duty and placed under house arrest Lt. Gen. Fred Ibingira, Brig. Gen. Richard Rutatina, Brig. Gen. Wilson Gumisiriza, and Col. Dan Munyuza with effect from 17 January 2012,” reads part of the statement signed by the Military and Defence Ministry spokesperson, Col. Joseph Nzabamwita.

The four are all suspected of getting involved in shady business dealings in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), it said.

"They are under investigations for acts of indiscipline with respect to getting involved with civilians in business dealings in the DRC.” Col. Nzabamwita told The New Times today, adding more information will be available "as soon as investigations are concluded.”

Lt. Gen. Fred Ibingira was the Chief of Staff of the Reserve Force while Brig. Gen. Rutatina, a former Presidential Advisor on Security matters, was currently serving as the head of military intelligence, otherwise known as J2.

Brig. Gen. Wilson Gumisiriza was a division commander, while Col. Dan Munyuza was the current head of External Intelligence.

james.karuhanga@newtimes.co.rw