The Ministry of Defence has discovered that some opposition political parties have embarked on a propaganda campaign aimed at discrediting the leadership of President Rupiah Banda’s Government through music being distributed on CDs in some military cantonments.
Defence Minister Kalombo Mwansa said all political parties must not extend their political activities and campaign to any military cantonment.
Dr Mwansa said in a statement released in Lusaka yesterday that it was not only a matter of grave concern but also unfortunate.
“It is an act of extreme desperation and not in line with public opinion. Military cantonments house officers – men and women, who have dedicated their lives to provision of security in our country,” he said.
He said the men and women in uniform must be allowed free room to execute the provision of security undisturbed by political propaganda and campaigns.
“[pullquote]It is an act of extreme desperation and not in line with public opinion. Military cantonments house officers – men and women, who have dedicated their lives to provision of security in our country,” he said.[/pullquote]
Dr Mwansa said their loyalty was to the Government of the day and the people of Zambia.
“We appeal to all political parties to respect the non-partisan position of the military personnel and encourage our officers to pursue their calling undisturbed,” Dr Mwansa said.
Dr Mwansa said the military personnel shoulder heavy responsibilities in order for them to keep peace, stability, unity and territorial integrity of the country.
“In this regard, partisan campaigns may detract them from this noble cause and create a situation that may compromise our nation’s
Besides being thoughtless civilians without history of patriotic service to the country other than serving the imperialist colonial Government as colonial constable against Zambian independence struggle and indeed herding cows, their foresight is missing. The danger of promulgating politics is that it produces dangerous military spirit that could haunt them. It is likely that those who don’t buy this nonsense could settle for favorites from the power that be. Some could be turn fanatical until they become reactionary God forbid start ducking them.
Ba veteran I am looking forward to a day when you will have nothing to say on this blog! It seems like you have a small brain and I wonder what level of education you have and from which place you have attained it. Military personnel being non partisan, yes are also Zambians like you and me with a right to vote and choose who ever they wish. So I do not see anything wrong if the opposition is welcome in the Barracks. The Pact is not desperate, RB is doing the same,soliciting for votes using shotie, FTJ on the copperbelt because he knows that MMD is weak there! Its all political strategy!
Politicization of the military establishments is very dangerous to the country. It comes with the risk of fostering a dangerous culture of politically motivated mass strategic recruited outfits, deployments, appointments, promotions and early retirements. The consequence of this is formation of a dangerous politically driven defense and security establishment that permanently kills democratic space and spirit. Throughout military history we see that a politicized military establishment usually promotes an imaginary democracy. We can learn from Uganda, Ethiopia and Egypt where politicized defense and security systems have kept selling a counterfeit democracy while placating the same political actors since time in memorial. Any voice is systematically exterminated.
Besides Egypt, Uganda and Ethiopia, Rwanda is the best example of the consequences of politicizing the military establishment.Every public and private sector from sports administrators to the leadership of parastatals are all held or influenced by heavily politicized military establishments either on secondment or direct entry. In short the military has taken over Rwanda with an iron fist denying any space for democracy and civil liberties.Anyone that emerges dissenting is systematically forced on Calvary.Zambia does not want that and the highly integrated multi ethnic outfits would only have the option of destroying the career of some vulnerable personal found wanting. They would be systematically fired and replaced with many new recruits.
Veteran: I think the real danger lies in a system that rewards your pompous rants about nothing. I bet if Rupiah asked you to jump off a cliff you would do it first and hope to ask questions last. You speak as if to be in the military entails becoming a some volatile lunatic that needs to be kept away from the slightest idea that the ruling party has opposition.
In countries with highly politicized military, anyone dissent is systematically forced on Calvary.Zambia does not want that and the highly integrated multi ethnic defense and security outfits would only have the option of destroying the career of some vulnerable personnel they may find wanting against national interest. The unfortunate ones may be systematically fired and replaced with many new recruits on the lines.
iwe chi Veteran jus shut up, u,a very useless!!
MMD is becoming jittery. They know that they have commited a lot of injustices to the Zambian people so they trying to pre empty something that isnt even there. They may use this tact to start arresting opposition leaders. What ever Vet says is part of this fear of the unknown
Abena CB,
Its pointless to answer back veteran. He is the most unprincipled blogger todate. One wonders how much they pay him for all his rantings. Do not worry his days are numbered. 2011 Kuya bebele!!
Guys I know how much Veteran gets paid, ni 100 Kwacha per post so masiku onse amagula masweeti
# 1& 3 Veteran: I find your arguments and point raised quite logical & plausible…hence I want to agree with your observations a 100% for now.
I don’t see how censuring the music the military listen too can be logical. The military like any other citizen have a choice of taste in the music they listen to. No one is forcing these grown men and women to buy such music. If the government finds it offensive that the military is playing such music, probably they should adjust the ways. Music like sports is about taste and choice. So, stop censuring the poor young men and women. They have a right to entertaiment. If you don’t want to politicise the military, stop having their commanders sleeping at Airports to see off and welcoming Banda. The senior officers are now like airport employees. Every other day they are at the airport to see Banda. That is politicising the military. How about the politicising that is in the police?