He has also urged defence forces to uphold and maintain discipline by remaining loyal to the government of the day.
Mr Banda said this in a speech read for him by Minister of Defence,
George Mpombo, at the Zambia Army headquarters officers' annual ball at
Arrakan Barracks in Lusaka on new year's eve.
I must stress here that members of the defence force must stay out of
politics and as Commander-In-Chief, I shall not tolerate individuals
indulging in politics. Those who intend to join politics must resign,
he said.
Mr Banda commended defence and security forces for maintaining peace internally and around the country's borders.
He said he was happy that defence force personnel remained focussed in
the face of several challenges the country encountered last year.
He said members of the defence forces exhibited professionalism,
particularly during the illness, death and funeral of the late
President Mwanawasa who died in August.
Your conduct and behaviour was exemplary during that trying period. I
urge you all to continue upholding your professional military ethics
and loyalty to the constitution and Government of the day, he said.
Mr Banda said the peace and stability which Zambians cherished and
continued to enjoy, should be guarded jealously to attract foreign
investors as a way of sustaining development and investment.
He also commended defence forces for the manner they conducted themselves before and after the October 30 presidential election.
This is what is expected of a professional defence force in a democracy, he said.
Mr Banda said Zambia had continued to participate in various
international organisations like the United Nations (UN), African Union
(AU), Common Market for East and Southern Africa and the Southern
African Development Community (SADC).
He said to ensure peace and security in the country, defence forces
should continue to exhibit high levels of proficiency and discipline.
Mr Banda said Government would continue to render support to defence
forces to enable them operate and undertake tasks under the auspices of
the UN, AU and SADC whenever they were called upon.
Mr Banda said Government was aware of the difficulties defence forces
faced, such as inadequate accommodation, the need for new equipment and
payments to utility service providers.
He assured defence forces of Government's commitment to addressing problems they were facing.
Mr Banda said the country's economy had continued to grow and that he
expected benefits to trickle down to other sectors to reduce poverty.
He urged defence force personnel to be mindful of the HIV/AIDS pandemic
in the New Year as the disease had continued to ravage the country.
And Zambia Army commander, Isaac Chisuzi, said the army would continue
to support and remain loyal to President Banda, the constitution and
people of Zambia.
The Zambia Army, as a component of defence forces, will always support
the government of the day and ensure that peace and security prevail in
the nation, he said.
General Chisuzi said the army would remain vigilant, resolute and
focussed to safeguard and protect Zambia's sovereignty from internal
and external aggressions.
He said last year, the army faced some administrative and operational
challenges like inadequate staff accommodation and lack of funds to
settle bills to service providers.
Gen. Chisuzi was, however, happy that the problems were being attended
to by Government through the ministries of Defence and Finance and
National Planning.
He said the Zambia Army had continued to cooperate with the UN, AU and
SADC by contributing troops, staff officers and military observers to
various peacekeeping missions.
Gen. Chisuzi was happy that there were no negative reports about the
conduct and performance of defence personnel who went for peacekeeping.
Meanwhile, the Zambia National Service (ZNS) has urged personnel to
continue working together and contribute to national development.
ZNS Chamba Valley commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Balide
Nyirenda, said this in Lusaka during the ZNS annual ball for warrant
officers and sergeants on Wednesday.
I wish to urge you all to continue working together in one accord and contribute to national development, Col. Nyirenda said.
He said the command was aware of the difficulties that officers were
facing arising from outstanding rentals, electricity bills and various
claims.
Col. Nyirenda said this was not deliberate but was due to financial difficulties Government and the ZNS were facing.
He was happy that Government had released K2 billion for housing allowance and general claims.
Col. Nyirenda said the command endeavoured to clear claims and outstanding bills when money was available.
Such gatherings are very important to us all in the Zambia National
Service as they accord us a chance to meet, interact and reflect on the
challenges of 2008 and also accord us a chance to meet with our
families and friends, Col. Nyirenda said.
He commended the president of the mess committee Lubinda Wamulume for
construction and renovations of the warrant and senior non-commissioned
officers' mess.
I appeal to the in-coming committee to continue with the projects that the former committee embarked on, Col. Nyirenda said.
He also said HIV/AIDS was real and that almost everyone was affected by the pandemic.
I would like to urge every one of us to be faithful and stick to one
sexual partner. The best is abstinence but if you can't abstain, always
use a condom, Col. Nyirenda said.
He said it was important for officers to go for voluntary counselling
and testing so that they could know their status and live responsibly.
By KASUBA MULENGA and JERRY MUNTHALI
Post published in: Uncategorized