By Deogratias Mmana:
President Peter Mutharika Friday challenged newly commissioned defence forces’ officers to refrain from politics.
He urged them to the nation with integrity and discipline.
Mutharika was speaking during the commissioning of 122 officer cadets at the Malawi Armed Forces College in Salima.
The 122 officer cadets included 26 females and 96 males and 10 of them coming from allied countries of Mozambique, Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania and Eswatini.
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“Your role is vital in shaping the future of our Defence Force. I urge you to embrace your responsibilities as future leaders and to actively contribute to national development initiatives.
“Respect the oath of office you have taken, uphold and defend our Constitution, and remain professional at all times,” Mutharika said.
He further urged all the military personnel to commit to excellence and to serve as role models for future generations.
He said his administration will ensure the safety and security of all Malawians through an approach that embraces collaboration among security agencies and active engagement with communities. He challenged all the soldiers in the country to protect and defend the good reputation the MDF enjoys globally.
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He commended the MDF for taking part in regional security cooperation programmes praising it for its admirable performance. “As we serve, we must remember the importance of regional security cooperation. By working closely with our neighbours we can tackle cross-border threats such as a terrorism and human trafficking,” he said.
He also called for good relations between the military and civilians. “Building trust and cooperation through strong civil-military relations ensures that our Defence Force remains rooted in the values of service, respect and accountability,” Mutharika said.
He pledged his government’s support for the welfare of all men and women who serve the nation including war veterans. Chief of Defence Force General George Alexander Jaffu asked the new officers to be loyal to the military leadership including the Commander-in-Chief.
“Uphold high standards of professionalism. Lead by example. Leadership is not about a rank but about serving others. Respect your superiors,” Jaffu said.
He warned them that they would at times face moments of uncertainties and difficult to make decisions but still they would have to make decisions.
Jaffu commended the allied countries that participated in the training saying that showed regional collaboration which he said is a quest for peace in the region. Minister of Defence Chimwemwe Chipungu urged the soldiers to serve Malawi with dedication and love.
Four officers that performed well above the rest during their training received special recognition. They included Precious Kampala, Dungane Msowoya, Boaz Mugambo and Precious Mkwina.
