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In defence of the nation

07 Aug, 2020 - 00:08 0 Views
In defence of the nation

The ManicaPost

Freedom Mutanda Post Correspondent
Over the years, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) have made waves in regional, continental and global peacekeeping missions.

The ZDF has been a beacon of excellence. The forces have been carrying out their constitutional mandate diligently.

As we celebrate the Heroes and Defence Forces Days next week, it is crucial to reflect on the events of the last 40 years.

After Mozambique gained independence in 1975, the Smith regime sponsored a rebel outfit — Renamo (Mozambique Resistance Movement) — to ensure that Frelimo soldiers would not give moral and logistical support to ZANLA and ZIPRA forces who were fighting tooth and nail to dislodge the Rhodesian government.

Although that strategy failed spectacularly as Mozambique supported our forces, Renamo fighters continued to be a thorn in the flesh for both countries after 1980.

After Renamo bandits attacked the business community in Katiyo, Honde Valley in the late 1980s, the ZDF positioned itself to protect the country’s interests.

But the Renamo fighters escalated the conflict as they carried out cross-border attacks on defenceless civilians along the eastern border.

Over and above that, the rebels looted from shops and attacked estate employees along the border. Secondary schools along the border, like Jersey and Ratelshoek, were affected by the attacks. In 1987, soldiers had to set up a base at Mt Selinda High School to ensure the students’ safety. Along the border, soldiers were planted to repel the rebels’ attacks.

When the Rome General Peace Accords was hammered between the Mozambican government and Renamo in 1992, the ZDF returned to the barracks as they had successfully done their part.

In 1989, the ZDF was invited to be part of the United Nations peacekeeping contingent in Angola as military observers. Retired Lieutenant-General Michael Nyambuya was the Chief Military Observer between December 1992 and July 1993.

During the United Nations Angola Verification Mission 3, Zimbabwean soldiers were stationed in the town of Saurimo. That speaks volumes of the level of trust bestowed upon our defence forces throughout the region. To date, Zimbabwe is highly regarded when peacekeeping missions are mooted.

In Somalia, things were upside down after the fall of Jaale Mohamed Siad Barre. Fighting among warlords became the order of the day in the Horn of Africa as the country became ungovernable, thereby prompting the United Nations to send peacekeepers to stop its slide into anarchy.

One of the countries whose soldiers the world body enlisted was Zimbabwe. The soldiers came back home with medals of honour and Zimbabwe’s growing esteem was noticed by many people from across the world.

Zimbabwean troops were again sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo, were they once again exhibited their polished work ethic. For a year, war raged on with the ZDF in the thick of things, with the force successfully completing its tour of duty with peace prevailing in DRC.

Then a number of ZDF officers were called to beef up security during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals hosted by Equatorial Guinea.

The theme of the ZDF — ‘Resolute in defence of national gains, peace and security’ — is therefore befitting.

For the vision of this country to be a success, the defence forces ensure there is economic development, peace and stability.

The ZDF is a national asset which has been doing its duty commendably.

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