There is wide spread panic across African countries especially those whose leaders have overstayed their welcome in the eyes of the citizens.

The panic comes following incidences of military overthrow of civilian governments with the latest being in Gabon, where President Ali Bongo was kicked out of office by military officers who also held him, his wife and son in solitary confinement.

Despite condemnation from some quarters, especially France and its western allies, the coup leaders have announced their plan to inaugurate a new administration to be led by General Brice Oligui Nguema who would be sworn in as “transitional president” on Monday.

Before the coup in Gabon, many African leaders have in recent times being topped through a forceful putsch. They include leaders of Chad, Sudan, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic.

In what has been interpreted as panic reaction, the Presidents of Cameroon and Rwanda, Paul Biya and Paul Kagame have tinkered with the military structure of their countries.

Paul Kagame of Rwanda on Wednesday retired 12 generals and dozens of other ranks from the army.

According to a Rwandan national newspaper, News Times, the news of the retirements came through a statement issued by Rwanda Defence Force.

Those retired included two four-star generals, James Kabarebe and Fred Ibingira, two three-star generals, Charles Kayonga and Frank Mushyo Kamanzi.

Kabarebe and Kayonga had previously served as Chief of Defence Staff of RDF, while the other two were service chiefs.

The statement read: “The President has also approved the retirement of 83 senior officers, six junior officers and 86 senior non-commissioned officers, 678 whose contracts ended and 160 medical discharges.”

Also in Cameroon, President Paul Biya reshuffled the military, with new appointments as contained in a statement signed by the President himself.

The statement, written in French was posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The statement announced new appointments to the Controle Generale des Armees. The new controllers are Captain Ajeagah Njei Félix and Colonel Nguema Ondo Bertin Bourger.

Appointments were also made to the positions of Technical Advisers, Bureau Commissariat and Air Force Technical Inspector.

Although Nigeria, who President Bola TInubu is the head of regional block, ECOWAS has not taken similar measure, due maybe, to the fact that the country’s Service Chiefs were recently appointed, its military has however warned officers and men to be completely loyal to the civilian government.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Mohammed Usman, asked disloyal soldiers to leave.

Usman, who called for loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and constituted authority, also asked soldiers to be professional and exhibit total loyalty, beginning with the President, down to the top echelon of the armed forces.

Addressing soldiers at the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Ogun State, the Nigerian Army GOC noted that there were some challenges but added that they were not peculiar to the Brigade Command.

He said: “While we are looking at the challenges and how to solve them, you have to be disciplined soldiers; you have to be loyal soldiers.

“When I mean loyalty, your loyalty must start with the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, who is the President. That’s first, and then down the ladder, loyalty to the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, down to your Brigade Commander.

“You have to be loyal. There is no room for soldiers that are not loyal to the constituted authority, no. If you are not going to be loyal, then, leave, go and do other work. But the armed forces cannot stand it if you are not loyal; discipline, loyalty and top professionalism.

“We are bearing arms so that other people can sleep well and go about their normal activities. You also have to be hardworking, if you go on any course, make sure you do your best and be among the best. Once you have all these, you will grow in this job,” Usman stated.