By Emmanuel Simpokolwe:
The newly appointed Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commander, General Paul Valentino Phiri, has said his administration will not have room for favouritism.
Phiri said this at Kamuzu Barracks in Lilongwe on Friday, when he received a sword of command from MDF former commander, General Vincent Nundwe, who has retired.
Phiri said time has come to end nepotism in the military, saying the tendency of banking on senior leaders for one’s success or attaining leadership position in the military is over.
“Do not expect things to work for you just because you come from my area. Work hard and be recognised because of your work,” he said.
Phiri said he is going to motivate soldiers and promote unity.
He commended his predecessor, Nundwe, for promoting professionalism.
He said his motto will be ‘Leaders Will Eat Last’, a development that, he said, would see junior soldiers being motivated in different areas as future leaders of the defence force.
“That will become a platform from which people will be able to show their seriousness in their work and also appreciate what it means to work very hard other than relying on senior relatives,” he said.
On his part, Nundwe, who performed his last military activity by inspecting a guard of honour at the event, said MDF is there to fulfil government objectives not political objectives.
He also called for the MDF soldiers to start investing in their future and uphold provisions of the constitution and the MDF Act.
“My principle has been looking at what I should contribute to my country and not what the country should do for me,” he said.
Nundwe has handed over the sword of command twice and served as MDF commander twice.
President Lazarus Chakwera hired him from retirement.
