Military ready to maintain peace, govt assures
By Ludia Ngwadzai
THE Ministry of Defence says the country’s military is on standby to maintain peace in Zambia once it is called upon ahead of this week’s general elections.
In an interview with The Mast, permanent secretary Maambo Hamaundu said if President Hakainde Hichilema ordered the defence forces to step in, they were ready to do so to preserve peace.
“Our primary responsibility for maintaining internal security lies with the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, once we are called upon to do so, we are ready and on standby,” Hamaundu said.
He said the military would only intervene if called upon.
Hamaundu was confident the country would not reach a point where the President would need to deploy the defence forces to maintain peace.
“As the ministry, our services will always be available just in case they are called upon by the Commander-in-Chief, But it’s imperative to mention that the primary role of ensuring that there’s internal security lies with the Ministry of Home Affairs and various services that are under that ministry,” he said.
Hamaundu said the ministry was prepared to do whatever was necessary to preserve the country’s peace.
“As the Ministry of Defence, we are available to do whatever is necessary to maintain peace within the country, and I’m also happy to know that my counterpart in the Ministry of Home Affairs [says] that anyone involved in violence, regardless of who they are, will not be spared. The law will visit them,” he said.
Hamaundu urged Zambians, particularly young people, to maintain peace and security, which were the foundation of economic development.
He said the country could not develop without peace and security.
“Violence must not be condoned, and I think it becomes imperative on us as implementers of these decisions that we maintain a peaceful country. As has already been noted, peace is a foundation for economic development. Without peace, you can’t have development,” he said.
