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Harare Bureau
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces have managed to fend off challenges brought about by illegal sanctions imposed by the West, and have instead registered great success at home and in the region, President Mugabe has said.
Addressing thousands of people who gathered at the National Sports Stadium yesterday to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the ZDF, President Mugabe said the force had remained resolute in its mandate, rising to the occassion to assist several countries in the region through training and back up in times strife.
“The ZDF have faced some challenges largely induced by the heinous illegal sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States of America,” he said. “Despite the sanctions, the ZDF have remained resolute in guaranteeing the defence and security of our country.”
The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said it was good that cadres of the armed struggle formed the nucleus of the new army upon Zimbabwe’s attainment of independence in 1980.
“Having been established from such difficult and humble beginnings, the ZDF gradually evolved to become the solid force that it is now,” said President Mugabe.
“They have scored several successes, especially in the provision of human resources, not only for Zimbabwe, but for other countries in the region.”
The Zimbabwe Staff College, said President Mugabe, had over the years hosted both junior and senior officers from the region, while the ZDF Air Wing assisted its counterparts in South Africa, Malawi and Tanzania in the training of pilots and technicians.
“A team of Zimbabwe Defence Forces officers is currently attached to the Namibian Defence Forces, assisting with military training programmes,” he said.
“Such exchanges vividly demonstrate the cordial relations that exist between the ZDF and their regional counterparts and the level of confidence these countries have in the professionalism and expertise of our forces.”
The ZDF continued to make significant efforts towards the development of Sadc and African Union standby forces.
“In this regard, the ZDF have played a leading role in contributing intellectual, material and military capacities. “Our Defence Forces have participated in regional exercises as part of the build-up and operationalisation of the standby force.”
President Mugabe said while the responsibility of transforming the country’s economy lay with all sectors, the ZDF continued to be seized with the provision of food security in the country.
He said Operation Maguta, a project that started in 2000, had since been expanded to greater levels that have seen the production of substantial amounts of maize. “The ZDF is also contributing to the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation through this and several other commercial projects that will, in the medium to long term, contribute significantly to the country’s gross domestic product,” he said.
President Mugabe narrated how nationalists teamed up to wage the liberation struggle to fight white oppression. He chronicled events on how the first black trade unionists in the mould of Cde Benjamin Burombo organised themselves and subsequent nationalists who spearheaded the liberation struggle that saw the attainment of independence.
The commemorations were attended by Vice President Joice Mujuru, government ministers, Zanu-PF Politburo members, Members of Parliament, diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe, service chiefs and senior government officials.
Online Reporter