President of Rwanda and Cameroon 

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Cameroonian President Paul Biya have dismissed their military chiefs after the recent military takeover in Gabon. In Rwanda, Kagame removed around 200 military leaders, including high-ranking generals like James Kabarebe and Fred Ibingira. The Cameroonian President, known for governing from abroad, also reshuffled officers across the army, air force, and marine.

The changes in leadership come after the coup in Gabon, where President Ali Bongo Ondimba was deposed. Despite this, neither Kagame nor Biya directly mentioned the coups in their decisions. In Niger, soldiers who seized power have faced sanctions from ECOWAS, but these have yet to restore democratic leadership.

Biya, through a Twitter statement, announced decrees to replace soldiers within Cameroon's defense department. The new appointments include senior military chiefs such as Ajeagah Njei Felix, Kamdom Lucas, and Nguema Ondo Bertin Bourger. Additionally, Edou Essono Serge Durel and Moudio Hervé have been designated in Cameroon’s marine.

Biya, who came into power in 1982, has governed Cameroon for decades. Despite criticism of his administration's economic impact, his presence has lessened due to health issues, with him primarily residing in Switzerland.

Furthermore, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president of Nigeria and presidential candidate, has condemned the unconstitutional removal of Gabon's President Ali Bongo. Atiku advises ECOWAS to diplomatically engage with the soldiers, urging a return to democratic governance.

The recent coup in Gabon marks the eighth military takeover in Central and West Africa since 2020, prompting concerns and a call for addressing the root causes rather than the symptoms of such events.