Bill to repeal Chief of Defence Staff Act gazetted

A Bill has been published aiming to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act No. 35 of 2009, which could lead to the end of the Chief of Defence Staff position. The draft law, named the “Repeal of the Chief of Defence Staff Act, 2026,” appeared in an extraordinary Government Gazette on May 15, following the directives of the Minister of Defence, as stated by official sources. This legislation seeks to remove the current law and address related matters. If approved, the Chief of Defence Staff office will be abolished when the new Act takes effect. The individual currently in this role will be transferred back to their respective armed service. Additionally, the Bill specifies that all property, both movable and immovable, belonging to the Chief of Defence Staff office will be transferred to the Ministry responsible for defence once the Act is enacted.