President Hakainde Hichilema has stressed the importance of the Defence force in sustaining peace, security and stability in the country and across the continent.
President Hichilema states that without peace, it is not possible to have sustainable development.
The Head of State therefore reiterates the importance of peace in individual nations, on the continent and the global community, stating that instability anywhere affects stability in other countries.
He indicates the reason why Zambian men and women in uniform have been deployed in Central Africa to support the peace mission.
ZANIS reports that speaking during a book launch titled the ART OF WAR AND PEACE, at the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Lusaka, the President said that peace is an area where most nations ought to invest in.
President Hichilema said that there is a need to strategise and be clear on the importance of building peace which is more sustainable than war.
“There are times we can find reasons to argue that we need peace is what we need and not war, and so amongst ways of doing that is to ensure that we provide clarity on why peace is more important than war,” President Hichilema said.
He added that Africa needs capacity building to resolve its own conflicts, explaining that regional bodies should make the first call to addressing conflicts, while the global community supports Africans.
The President indicated that political leaders have an obligation to work with other institutions as a team to address the issues that hinder peace.
President Hichilema stated that the Government is doing everything possible to address the challenges at the college adding that it is a very important institution in the country’s history that was instrumental in the liberation of nations in the region.
The Head of State announced that his administration will invest in the institution so that it is expanded and also provided with advanced technology.
He added that as established by statutory instrument of 2021, the Government will actualise and operationalise the establishment of the national Defence university.
The President commended the Zambia Defence force for adhering to his call for them to support the country’s economic recovery, while calling on students to study the book and internalise it for the betterment of maintaining peace in individual countries, the continent and the world at large.
Book Co. Author Greg Mills explained the contents of the book stating that the defence force has to be practical about what it wants and how it wants to employ it.
Dr Mills explained that the books look precisely at the things in a changing world and at times changing dangerously.
He also spoke about decisive leadership and acting in a manner that prevents conflicts as the reason why the book was written.
“This book would be incomplete without looking at the future drivers of conflict and of peace across the world,” Dr Mills said.
In actualising a peaceful environment for all, he stated the need to incorporate technology with operational concepts, people and organisations, as well as the importance of sound leadership at every level.
Meanwhile, Defence Services Command and Staff College Commandant, Philemon Samatamba hailed President Hichilema’s commitment towards the welfare and development of the military personnel.
Brigadier General Samatamba said that this has been exhibited through the President’s call for peace and stability in the world and also ensuring capacity building both administratively and academically in military learning institutions.
