Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) have been commended for standing firm against attempts by foreign elements to destabilise Zimbabwe through protests and other forms of non-violent action.
Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day celebrations at White City Stadium in Bulawayo on Tuesday, Churches and Civic Society Joint Forum (CSCJF) national chairperson Dr Anglistone Sibanda said threats to Zimbabwe had evolved from conventional warfare to what he described as “soft wars” designed to topple governments.
Dr Sibanda said the emerging tactics had been witnessed in other countries, including during the Arab Spring, and could be used by foreign interests seeking to destabilise targeted countries.
“We are here today celebrating 46 years of service by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and what we have seen, the latest trends, is that the threats that have been threatened in Zimbabwe have mutated into what we call non-violent actions, which have been used in other countries,” he said.
“As we saw in the Arab Spring, that’s been the latest trend that has been happening, how foreign elements have sought to destabilise countries that they seek to target. Zimbabwe has been one of them.”
Dr Sibanda said the ZDF had played a critical role in protecting the country from what he termed “nefarious elements” who allegedly sought to use citizens to destabilise the Government.
“And we salute the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for standing resolutely in defence and protecting the country against these nefarious elements that use the citizens following what is called a ‘colour revolution’ model of overthrowing governments,” he said.
He cited the events in Serbia in 2000 and the Arab Spring as examples of countries where popular protests and other forms of mobilisation contributed to political upheaval.
“We saw that happening in Serbia in the spring of 2000 and we saw it happening in the Arab Spring,” Dr Sibanda said.
“But the Zimbabwe Defence Forces have stood firm and worked with the citizenry to quell and to stop any such activities and for such we applaud the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.”
He also commended President Mnangagwa, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, for what he described as efforts to reshape and restructure the military command.
“We also have a special thanks to the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, for reshaping and restructuring the command elements,” he said.
Dr Sibanda said the changes in the security sector were important in ensuring that the defence forces were prepared to deal with emerging forms of conflict.
“This makes sure that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces transitions from the hard wars which we are used to, to the soft wars that have been used in other countries,” he said.
Dr Sibanda said citizens should remain vigilant in protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty.
“So as citizens, we are happy and we wish that Zimbabwe should continue enjoying the hard-won independence,” he said.
