President Mnangagwa urges defence forces to tackle contemporary security challenges

Online Writer
HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has emphasised the need for the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) to adapt to evolving security threats, including armed conflicts, terrorism, transnational crime, and the impacts of climate change.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the 37th Joint Command and Staff Course at the Zimbabwe Staff College in Harare on Friday, President Mnangagwa highlighted the strategic importance of the defence sector in maintaining sovereignty and advancing sustainable development across Zimbabwe and the African continent.

The President acknowledged the challenges facing the region, such as illicit trafficking, cyber threats, and external interference, and called for enhanced training and skills development.
“Africa and our SADC region must scale up strategies to ‘Silence the Guns’ on our continent. Wars and conflicts deprive our people of the much-needed development and prosperity,” he stated.
President Mnangagwa also directed the Zimbabwe Staff College to diversify its training programmes to include peaceful conflict resolution methods and disaster management, citing the increasing frequency of climate-induced natural disasters.

The event saw officers from various African Union member states graduate, demonstrating regional cooperation. Graduates participated in geopolitical study tours to Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania, and Uganda, fostering regional integration and solidarity.
The President expressed gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for supporting Zimbabwe’s defence sector and called on the graduates to uphold their constitutional mandate with professionalism.
“Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inodzivirirwa, nevene vayo. Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, livikelwe ngabanikazi balo,” he said, encouraging the graduates to take pride in their responsibility to safeguard Zimbabwe.
The ceremony, attended by defence chiefs, Government officials, and families of the graduates, underscored the ZDF’s commitment to tackling both traditional and modern security challenges.