Hosia Mviringi
Opposition party MDC-T is shedding the immaturity that characterised its past, which saw them attempt to scandalize the standing of the military to cushion their electoral failures.
However, it has since emerged that the stance was the handiwork of a faction under Nelson Chamisa, as those who belong to Douglas Mwonzora`s camp are now singing a different tune.
In a recent interview with Tateguru Tv, recently installed MDC-T shadow Minister for Defense and War Veterans Affairs Senator Morgen Komichi said the Zimbabwe Defence Forces are a key constituency in national developmental trajectory.
He said they should be accorded their respect, and their welfare should be everyone`s responsibility.
Komichi said he will use his new portfolio as shadow Defence Minister to champion the interests of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and contribute to the moulding of a defence force that will help position Zimbabwe correctly on the international democratic space.
“A disgruntled defence forces is an affront to development and democracy. You can’t engage in any form of dialogue that excludes the interests of the defence forces,” said Komichi.
“Zimbabwe needs an ideal defence forces which stands for the interests of Zimbabweans. The welfare of the army must be the interests of everyone including those in opposition because the army serves to protect national interests,” Komichi added.
The position of the MDC-T led by Senator Douglas Mwonzora is that it is only with a professional national army that Zimbabwe can successfully dialogue amongst itself and find lasting peace and security internally.
Komichi said this would be the tonic for meaningful international engagement and re-engagement.
Komichi`s remarks communicate a departure from politics of yesteryear which involved and evolved around perpetual antagonism against key national institutions.
This marks a refreshing departure from politics of hate, confrontation and disruption that the party had adopted under the ill-fated leadership of Nelson Chamisa.
“A professional Army will shape how the country is perceived by the outside world. It is key in doing away with disputed elections. It will be key to the country’s re-engagement thrust as much as it will be to the national dialogue process. It will help shape the country’s foreign policy”.
At some point, leaders in the defence forces had to remind the nation that the leadership of the country was a straight jacket.
This came as a result of veiled threats to the Defence Forces by the then opposition leadership who repeatedly called for the prosecution of certain army commanders.
This marks a rare point of convergence for national political leaders on a key national topic.
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