ZANU PF First Secretary and President, His Excellency Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has commended the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for safeguarding the country.
Speaking at the 45th commemorations in Harar, President Mnangagwa urged the Forcesto remain vigilant against current threats.
"On this occasion, we salute and celebrate the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for their commendable work of safeguarding and protecting the Independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our great motherland, Zimbabwe. Further, we acknowledge and remember the men and women who formed the nucleus of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in 1980, who were largely drawn from the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) and the Zimbabwe Peoples’ Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA)," President Mnangagwa said.
"The past 45 years, have seen officers, men and women, emerging, many of whom, were born after our Independence. Meanwhile, our national security apparatus continues to change and adapt. This is also in response to the contemporary national and global security demands, along with the changing social and economic aspirations of our people. The Defence Force is indeed in a new epoch.
"As we look into the future, you, the officers, men and women who now constitute the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, must never forget that journey to Independence, sovereignty, peace and unity, which we are enjoying. The agonising suffering inflicted by the brutal racist colonial regime and protracted war of liberation is etched in our national memory. The people of our country were subjected to oppression, segregation and displacement from our land. Likewise, nationalists and freedom fighters endured treacherous environments and situations, including fighting many battles, detention, imprisonment and restrictions. Many died in the ruthless massacres, while others lie in marked and unmarked graves, here at home and in the region. Our rich liberation war heritage must, therefore, embolden you, as the current crop of the Defence Forces, to remain a formidable, dependable and disciplined force."
President Mnangagwa added that the Forces "remain beacons of our nation’s peace, security and socio-economic development. This is well stated in this year’s commemoration’s theme, which says, and I quote “Zimbabwe Defence Forces: Guaranteeing Peace and Stability for the Attainment of Vision 2030." I, therefore, challenge the Defence Forces to continue increasing their capabilities around a wider range of threats, that relate to economic instability, climate change, cyber-attacks, pandemics and terrorism.
"To be able to effectively execute its roles, both internally and with regards to international obligations, it is critically important that the ZDF maintains robust training and capacity building programmes. In this regard, Zimbabwe remains ready to expand mutually beneficial relations in the field of military and defence cooperation, in keeping with our Engagement and Re-engagement Policy. It is commendable that ongoing Training Exchange Programmes are widening and deepening the skill sets within the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, towards enhanced organisational proficiency, regional inter-operability, combat efficiency and exposure to varied equipment and technology."