Kigali — The title Chief of General Staff [CGS] of the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) has changed to Chief of Defense Staff [CDS]. Maj. Jill Rutaremara, the Army Spokesman reaffirmed this Tuesday in an interview with The New Times, stressing that this also comes after the recent constitutional amendment.

"In accordance with Article 174 of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of June 4, 2003 as amended todate, the appointment Chief of General Staff [CGS of the Rwanda Defence Force [RDF] changes to Chief of Defence Staff [CDS]," Maj. Rutaremara said before elaborating on the matter.

"The title CGS did not reflect clearly the command responsibility entrusted into the office. The responsibilities of the CDS, however, remain the same. The CDS shall be responsible for operations and the general administration of the RDF," he explained.

"He will continue to be referred to as Umugaba Mukuru w'Ingabo in Kinyarwanda and Chef d'Etat Major General in French," he added.

As earlier reported, the constitutional amendment in June saw some 50 articles ratified, portfolios renamed and even judicial mandates outlined.

While presenting the amendments to the House back in June, Tharcisse Karugarama, the Justice Minister and Attorney General, explained that the idea of amending the constitution hinged, among others, on the mandates of some government officials that were not clearly defined.

He further stressed that the amendment would make the law flexible and will clear 'mistranslation' of some articles in the constitution.

"The translation of some articles from one language to another was not clear while some officials' mandates were also not clearly defined. That is why the constitution has been amended," Karugarama said then. Overwhelmingly endorsed by legislators, the amendments saw a number of other portfolios renamed.

They include the Prosecutor General's office which was renamed the National Public Prosecution Authority, while the High Council of the Press became the High Council of the Media. Judicial courts were also given new names basing on their hierarchy.