admininsurgencies such as those that have rocked Arab countries in North Africa.
He said this while officiating at the graduation of 51 officers from Zimbabwe and other Sadc countries with diplomas in adult education and defence and security studies at the Zimbabwe National Staff College yesterday.
The diplomas were done in conjunction with the University of Zimbabwe.
“The events that have rocked the Arab World particularly in Libya are a case in point. Today we are witnessing undiplomatic aggressiveness from the so-called champions of democracy in looting poor nations’ rich natural resources, all sugar coated in the name of human rights protection, with the UN, a body created to safeguard equality among all states being used as an appendage to sanction neo-colonialism.
“It therefore calls for a paradigm shift in the officers’ thinking when it comes to devising appropriate national security strategies,” he said.
Uprisings in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia early led to the fall of their rulers although NATO used a UN resolution to aid rebels unseat and execute former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The Defence Minister said the inclusion of students from other countries in the two courses showed a commitment by the ZDF to enhance regional defence co-operation that will develop a base for socio-economic development.
“The academic platform made available to students from both local and regional security forces by the Zimbabwe Staff College in association with the UZ is a crucial pedestal in enhancing professional and academic training and development that will lead to a vibrant regional force,” Minister Mnangagwa said.
He hailed the UZ for collaborating with the Staff College to better equip soldiers in attaining modern training standards.
UZ Vice Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura said the two diplomas were important for regional development.
“Peace and security are the backbone to meaningful development hence the importance we attach to these two diplomas not only for Zimbabwe but also for the region at large,” he said.
Prof Nyagura said an enlightened defence force was an important component for the development of societies.
He said it was the UZ’s wish that the Staff College grow to become an independent entity that offers degree programmes.
Among the graduates were two officers from Zambia and one each from Mozambique, Botswana and Tanzania.
Online Reporter