Exorcising the ghosts of security sector ‘reform’

his own interests to the interests of others who are more numerous, or in some other way, more deserving.
In other words, nationalists such as Lumumba, Nkrumah, Chitepo, Dr Nkomo, Mugabe and many others sacrificed their freedom to the struggle for Independence and social justice of their countries.
Mao said the “good” which consists in self-interest should be subordinated to the “good” which consists in loyalty and self-sacrifice for an end higher than “self-interest”.
This writer feels the obligation rests on some kind of institution of what is right and cannot be demonstrated by rational argument.
In Zimbabwe the opposition, civil society organisations, lawyers for human rights, neo-liberal scholars and academics have continued to debate on the need to reform the security sector.
Some have even gone beyond the discourse on reform to the extent of calling for security sector reform (SSR).
The call for SSR has in some cases been personalised to mean certain security sector institutions (SSI) principals must go before elections can be called for.
The reason given by an avalanche of stakeholders involved in the discourse for SSR ranges from lack of professionalism, dabbling in politics, politicisation and militarisation of public institutions and, to some extent, the civil services.
All this emanates from comments made by securocrats whose duty it is to maintain peace and stability in the country.
Sometimes the call for SSR does not clearly highlight the reasons for it to happen.
In some case the reasons are motivated by issues to do with foreign pressures that are after the SSR in order to manipulate and weaken the security systems in Zimbabwe.
In some cases the call is motivated by the failure of measures placed against Zimbabwe such as illegal economic sanctions, whose objective was to cripple the effectiveness and efficiency of the SSI.
The discourse on SSR is silent on the effects of illegal sanctions on professionalism as the institutions are not able to source some of the equipment from the traditional markets now governed by Zidera and EU sanctions. The discourse is also silent about the effects of sanctions on the morale of SSI.
It also does not highlight how the forces’ administration and management is affected by the sanctions. Is it that those involved in the discourse of SSR are happy with and proud of the effects caused by these cancerous sanctions on Zimbabwe’s SSI?
Why has there not been a call on banking sector reform where depositors’ funds are daily eroded as opposed to SSR when SSI have maintained peace and tranquility in the country?
Are those involved in the debate on SSR working in cahoots with the banking sector to erode Zimbabwe’s economy in order to effect regime change?
The security sector, however, is born out of a liberation struggle. It has experienced worse scenarios in the past than what the crafters of the illegal economic sanction and regime change agendas know.
Due to its hybrid nature, the security sector has been able to weather the storm that was unleashed by the Anglo-Saxons who aimed to grab power from the back door through regime change.
The security sector, using their experiences of fighting various wars, have become highly innovative and creative in formulating strategies that make Zimbabwe remain an independent, peaceful and sovereign state.
They have proved beyond any strategic thinker that they are men and women who can operate in any environment and are capable of conquering any situation or scenarios as they did in conquering the Rhodesian mighty of Ian Smith.
In 2002, General Vitalis Zvinavashe, in outlining the civil-military relations in Zimbabwe, issued his famous statement insisting that “the office of the Head of State of Zimbabwe should be held by individuals who pursue Zimbabwean values, traditions (and) the beliefs for which thousands of lives were lost in pursuit of Zimbabwe’s hard won independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests.”
To this end, he added “let it be known that the highest office in the land is a ‘straight’ jacket whose occupants are expected to observe the objective of the liberation struggle.
“We will therefore, not accept, let alone support or salute anyone with a different agenda that threatens (the very existence of sovereignty, our country and our people).” (The guide to the Heroes Acre, 2011, page 206).
There was an over-cry over the above statement.
Many interpretations aimed at pleasing the EU and America where proffered by the private media, neo-liberal academics and politicians.
The concept of “straight jacket” was interpreted to mean no one without liberation credentials would be allowed to enter the office of the President.
Some went on to say General Zvinavashe must retire and join politics.
However, the general, in his famous statement, was misunderstood by dull analysts and political puppets of the West to have meant that only those who took part in the liberation war would be allowed to run for the office of the President.
Far from that, the general was only emphasising a point that must work as a covenant of the military for generations and generations in order for Zimbabwe to remain sovereign.
The straight jacket concept is a culture that must be endeared to by every right-minded general of any state if that state is to remain sovereign.
The general did not say what analysts and neo-liberal politicians are saying.
To say the concept of straight jacket is a theory that only allows those with liberation credentials to become President demonstrates the political hypocrisy of the analysts. It simply means those aspiring for the office of President must respect the liberation principles, ethos and values as is in America, China, Russia, among other countries.
The straight jacket concept has become an indelible ink for the generations of those who are to fill the rank and file of the ZDF.
It must be clearly understood that the SSR is an after conflict (armed conflict) process that is aimed at unifying and then train those belligerents to form a professional body that the ZDF and other security institutions are today.
The current political polarity that has been aggravated by our erstwhile colonisers is just a difference in ideology which does not warrant SSR.
The governing of the country by coalition does not demand for a SSR.
However, if the MDC formations have some army (military trained personnel) that they want incorporated in the security sectors then they must say so and indicate where they are stationed and where trained.
They must also state how they want the SSR to be done in order to incorporate their (unknown) militants. However, let it be clear that Zimbabwe will not brook a situation where ex-Rhodies would come and command any SSI.
Political stalemates have happened in Europe and, in particular, Britain. Why has there been no call for SSR?
In America, the military leadership is heavily accused of supporting the Republican; why has there been no SSR in America? If one analyses the sumptuous statement by General Zvinavashe, which is largely supported by the current crop of generals, who in the world would not want such a general?
General Sun Tzu said, “The state is as strong as its generals,” and this is what generals are there for, including Zimbabwean generals. The MDC formations say the military must be loyal to the constitution and the country.
Could they tell the nation where General Zvinavashe’s statement could be viewed partisan? Where does dabbling in politics come from? Is observing the values and ethics of the liberation struggle a partisan thinking?
If yes, does it mean the MDC formations do not recognise the liberation struggle?
There is a lot of patriotism in General “Fox” Zvinavashe’s statement that must be learned by the MDC formations and their supporters.
However, if they are opposing President Mugabe and Zanu-PF in the Dhlakama-Savimbi-Mobuto and Chiluba fashion then they have no cause to respect the liberation struggle.
What it therefore means to Zimbabwe is that they would have self-declared themselves enemies of State.
Fellow Zimbabweans, it is not time to practice collective self-deception thereby pushing for Western or Eurocentric agendas and interests.
It is never too late to realise that the security sector deserves respect and honour like Mwonzora, Theresa Makone and Professor Mutambara said on ZDF day.