Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) is set to have a Deputy Chief of Defence Staff following the passing of a new draft law governing the country’s military.

The legislation, which was voted by an overwhelming majority of lawmakers on Thursday, May 2, introduces a raft of military reforms, including a new position of Deputy CDS, a first in the country's history.

The same proposed legislation establishes the RDF Medical Health Service, a new unit which will be led by a Chief of Staff.

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The development means that the Rwanda Defence Forces will now comprise four services, each headed by a Chief of Staff, namely: Land Force, Air Force, Reserve Force and Special Units, as well as the Medical Health Service.

Earlier this week, President Paul Kagame, who is the Commander-In-Chief of the RDF, named Maj Gen Dr Ephraim Rurangwa as the Chief of Staff, Medical Health Service. He also appointed Col Dr John Nkurikiye as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Medical Health Service.

In March, when the draft law was first introduced to parliament, defence minister Juvenal Marizamunda explained that a deputy army chief for the RDF will ensure a reliable force command.

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"We are not building a force for just today; we are building a long-term force. That is why we had an idea that a CDS should have a deputy so that when they are not available, the command is not brought to a standstill,” he told the lawmakers.

The minister noted that the proposed changes were intended to further strengthen the RDF’s leadership and command in line with its cardinal mandate of defending the country’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, as well as its involvement in peacekeeping missions abroad.

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He said the reforms would help make the country's military more agile and effective in the face of changing security dynamics in the region and beyond.