DEFENCE AND SECURITY DEBATE
By Dickson Jere
In 2008 when I went into government, I found the debate raging. Who should constitute the presidential welcoming party at the airport to receive the Head of State? The talk started during the reign of President Frederick Chiluba – I was told.
The debate was primarily being pushed by the leadership of the then Zambia Prisons Service – the forerunner of the Zambia Correctional Service. The head wanted to be part of the receiving party at airport alongside the Defence and Security chiefs.
Cabinet Office, under the leadership of Dr Joshua Kanganja (deceased), provided guidance and vehemently refused to allow the prisons boss to stand along the service chiefs.
“Next, you will have ZAWA also making the same demands,” he said, and it was resolved to keep them away.
He further said DEC, ACC, Immigration and OP (Special Division) bosses will also follow suit if it was made open-ended.
In any case, they do not form part of the Defence and Security nor do they attend Defence Council meetings.
At that time, prisons boss lived in Kabwe and an issue of travel expenses was raised. But more importantly, it was the reason that prisons were manned by “civil police” and not military. That is why in other countries, this role has been given to private sector.
Traditionally, the receiving party only had four service chiefs – Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force, Zambia National Service and Zambia Police in that order.
However, over the weekend I saw that the Correctional Service boss was among those who lined up to receive the President. Maybe there has been a policy shift – since these were not inscribed in laws but policy.
I am told the prison boss has since moved to Lusaka from a kabwe since the PF days and the head office also moved. So issues of expenses may not arise now but other points that were raised in the debate.
parading defense chiefs and men and women in uniform like cadres or other Government officials for that matter is just a waste of time. Take a leaf from the new Senegalese President
Lets hope the Senegalese President keeps it up. Chiluba criticised the practice and didnt have the welcoming entourage for two three trips. But those who earn their money through this grovelling reorganised themselves and promptly returned to the airport
Mr. Jere what you fail to state is what purpose these defence chiefs play in meeting the Head of State?
You also dont say why they now have escourts when growing up this was never the case?
A rather petty and subjective debate.
We have this temdency to create issues and ceremonies that have little bearing on the lives of citizens but have a cost basis. Do we adopt these patronage ceremonies from countries that are undemocratic and where “bootlicking” is the means one demonstrates their loyality to the head of state? We see it in socialist states and the estate? But dont see it in the west. Is there any diplomatic purpose for the fan fare?
If they dont server any purpose, why waste resources and time. We have previously seen women being paraded and dancing their lives away. Why? There are productive ways of utilising resources. Some things just make sense and a demeaning and wasteful means of patronage and use of resources. Want to speak to the head of state. He has an office.
Valid points @Jackson. The caption picture is also very interesting; there is the boss to welcome the commander in chief, his aid de camp and an aid de camp to the aid de camp!
Honestly, I have failed to understand the purpose of this charade. How many manhours are wasted on this occassion? And to think others want to jump on the band wagon! Does it mean our defence chiefs donot have something better to occupy their time? Or it is a prestige thing. They feel special when they line up to welcome the chief.
The President should really be welcomed by the Vice President and the party Secretary General only. The rest can spend this time in a more productive manner.
@JMC, the vice President being a running mate should never be in the presidential welcoming party. . Imagine the worst were to happen arising from the terrorist attack. That would plunge the country into a constitutional crisis. My take is that it should be on rare moments that the President and Vice arel at the same public appearance. Such appearance should be frightful in terms of adequate State Security. Anyway , it’s just my thoughts, am no Security expert.
Ba Ambanwa, the chances of such a terrorist attack are very remote. In any case there would be no constitutional crisis because the constitution covers such a scenario where the President and his Vice are incapacitated for whatever reason. The Speaker and Chief Justice would step in.
Correct me if I am wrong.
I think it’s high time we rethought this practice. The state could save some money to pay the pensions of those same service chiefs when they’re in retirement.
Our people suffer from pomposity derangement syndrome, too many big egos that want massaging!
These are just useless rituals draining our Treasury unnecessarily!
Imagine the huge fuel cost plus allowances involved!