Story by ZBC News Reporter
President Emmerson Mnangagwa says the SADC Mutual Defence Pact and the United Nations Charter dictate that states must resolve international disputes through peaceful means.
He was speaking at the Joint Command and Staff Course Number 37 graduation ceremony at the Zimbabwe Staff College (ZSC) in Harare, this Friday.
“We have a duty to do so in a manner that regional and international peace, security and justice are enhanced,” said the President.
President Mnangagwa emphasised that Africa and the SADC region should scale up multi-pronged strategies to end wars and conflict in the continent.
“The astronomical cost of wars and conflicts deprive our people, of the much-needed development and prosperity. Our mantra, ‘African solutions to African problems’, must remain true for posterity. A country is built and must be defended by its own people. The responsibility to proffer and implement solutions to propel the peace, security, development, modernisation and prosperity of our country, the SADC region and the African continent lies with all of us, including you in our defence and security sector. This duty and weighty obligation should never be taken for granted.
“It is your weighty duty and obligation, as members of the Defence Forces of Zimbabwe, SADC and Africa, to continually enhance the capacity to prevent the subversion of our respective and collective constitutional order and national sovereignties,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also emphasised that the defence forces must prioritise enhancing their disaster management capabilities, including streamlining the coordination of humanitarian aid, both domestically and regionally, to ensure a swift and effective response to natural disasters.
