Maravi

Stay out of politics, Rupiah warns defence personnel

Stay out of politics, Rupiah warns defence personnel
Written by Katwishi Bwalya
Friday, January 02, 2009 2:52:04 PM

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has warned that he will not tolerate officers from the defence forces who will engage in politics. And Banda has commended the Zambia Army for its professionalism during the run-up to the presidential elections.In a speech read for him by defence minister George Mpombo during the Zambia Army annual ball in Lusaka on Wednesday night, President Banda said as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces in the country, he expected the officers not to be partisan.

“Please stay out of politics and those who want to involve themselves in politics should immediately resign from the army because as your Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, I will not tolerate anyone who will involve themselves in active politics,” President Banda said.

He commended the army for exhibiting high levels of professionalism in 2008.

“My government faced a lot of challenges in the year 2008, but the army exhibited high levels of professionalism especially during the illness, death and the burial of late president Levy Mwanawasa,” he said. “You exhibited high levels of professionalism especially during the campaigns period, the election period and indeed after the election and the government was very happy and I commend you for that because peace should be guarded in order to attract foreign investment.

My government will therefore continue rendering support to the army so that you continue discharging your duties”

President Banda said the government was aware of the numerous challenges the army was facing but was committed to solving them.

And Army Commander General Isaac Chisuzi pledged the army’s support to President Banda’s government.

“As Zambia Army, we are committed and will remain loyal to His Excellency the President, the Constitution, the government and the people of Zambia. The Zambia Army is a component of defence force and will support the government of the day and we will ensure that peace and security prevail in the nation,” Gen Chisuzi said.” We shall remain vigilant, resolute, and focused at all times to safeguard and protect our sovereignty from both internal and external aggression”

Gen Chisuzi said he was very happy that the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Finance were solving the numerous challenges being faced by the army such as accommodation problems for the military personnel.

Labels: ARMED FORCES, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 2:49 PM