Zambia Army warns against drawing military into partisan politics
The Zambia Army has warned political actors and commentators against drawing the military into partisan disputes, saying its allegiance is to the Republic and not any political organisation
Army Spokesperson Colonel Sydney Mwewa said the military had noted an increasing tendency among political commentators and social-media users to attach political motives to its operations and individual officers.
“The Zambia Army will not be drawn into partisan political discourse,” he said.
The Army said its constitutional responsibility is to defend Zambia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests, while supporting civil authorities when lawfully called upon
“Its allegiance remains to the Republic of Zambia and its people,” Mwewa said, adding that personnel would continue operating with “professionalism, discipline, impartiality and respect for the Constitution.”
The statement comes after an election period in which the deployment and visibility of security forces became part of political debate. Opposition figures and some election observers raised concerns about the presence of military personnel during parts of the electoral process, while authorities maintained security deployments were necessary to preserve public order and respond to identified threats.
The Army also cautioned against false, defamatory, threatening or misleading claims involving the institution or individual officers, warning that conduct prohibited by law could attract legal consequences.
It nevertheless acknowledged a distinction between unlawful conduct and scrutiny of the military, stating: “Legitimate criticism and public discussion are not in themselves unlawful.”
Mwewa urged political parties, the media and members of the public to exercise restraint when discussing national security.
“The Army further reaffirms that its role is not to participate in political contestation,” he said, “but to contribute to the preservation of the peace, security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Zambia in accordance with its constitutional mandate.”
-The People’s Brief | Ollus R. Ndomu