James Kabarebe

James Kabarebe
Kabarebe in 2012
Minister of State for Regional Integration
Assumed office
September 2023
PresidentPaul Kagame
Minister of Defence
In office
10 April 2010  18 October 2018
PresidentPaul Kagame
Preceded byMarcel Gatsinzi
Succeeded byAlbert Murasira
Personal details
Born1959 (age 6566)
Ibanda, Uganda
Political partyRwandan Patriotic Front
Alma materMakerere University
Military service
Allegiance
Years of service?–2023
RankGeneral
Battles/wars

James Kabarebe (born 1959) is a Rwandan retired military officer who serves as Minister of State for Regional Integration in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Kabarebe was a key figure in both the First Congo War and the Second Congo War as a commanding officer.

From 10 April 2010 until 18 October 2018, he was the Rwandan Minister of Defence. He served as a Rwandan Patriotic Army Commander and was an Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo strategist. In his role of Minister of Defence he was accused of being the de facto leader of the March 23 Movement, a militia in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In September 2023, James Kabarebe was appointed Minister of State for Regional Cooperation.