Deciphering the General’s Controversial Farewell: Battle for the Zambia Army’s Senior Service Identity!

The Zambia Army has its identity as the senior service in the country. As Commander, you are expected to guard and protect this identity even if sometimes it may be at the expense of being misunderstood.

Lusaka, Nov. 16 – The farewell parade for Zambia Army’s immediate past Commander, Lt. Gen. Sitali Dennis Alibuzwi, offered more than just ceremonial grandeur. The retired general, who served over 40 years in the army and rose to its apex under President Hakainde Hichilema’s appointment in August 2021, delivered a speech that has sparked widespread debate. His words, carefully chosen yet profoundly layered, left many wondering about the underlying message he intended to convey.

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Veteran journalist and Senior Counsel Dickson Jere zeroed in on a specific portion of Lt. Gen. Alibuzwi’s address. Jere noted that while the general refrained from explicitly revealing all he might have wanted to say, his speech hinted at internal struggles he faced during his tenure. At the heart of his message was the assertion that the Zambia Army is the “senior service” in the country – a position he emphatically stated must be preserved at all costs.

“The Zambia Army has its identity as the senior service in the country,” Lt. Gen. Alibuzwi declared, without delving into who might be challenging this long-established role. He further emphasized that this identity is deeply rooted in the military’s customs, etiquette, and practices, urging his successor to fiercely guard and protect it, even at the risk of being misunderstood.

Addressing his successor, Lt. Gen. Geoffrey Zyeele, the outgoing commander spoke candidly about his own challenges. “I know, Commander, that I was sometimes misunderstood in trying to protect this identity, but I have no regrets whatsoever because I had the responsibility to protect the Army’s identity according to the military customs, practices, and the internationally accepted continental system,” he stated.

The remarks reignited past concerns raised by Socialist Party leader Dr. Fred M’membe. In a previous critique titled “Confusion Reigns At The Defence Forces!”, Dr. M’membe had called on President Hichilema to respect established military traditions. He warned against tampering with systems that safeguard national security, stressing that such instruments of power are never shared or delegated, even to the Vice-President.

This critique was sparked by the controversial appointment of Mr. Friday Nyambe, Director General of the Office of the President Special Division, as Chair of the Central Joint Operations Committee (CJOC). Historically, the CJOC was a structure under the Zambia Army and Zambia Police, with the Army Commander serving as its chair. Dr. M’membe argued that such a shift undermines the President’s exclusive role as Commander-in-Chief, as the delegation of military oversight to another organ breached long-standing norms.

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Lt. Gen. Alibuzwi’s emphasis on protecting the army’s identity might well reflect his discontent with these changes. His farewell speech subtly but unmistakably drew attention to the Cabinet Office’s decision to transfer the CJOC chairmanship from the Zambia Army to the Office of the President Special Division – a move that many, including Dr. M’membe, view as a direct challenge to the military’s authority and identity.

In essence, Lt. Gen. Alibuzwi’s parting words serve as both a reflection of his tenure and a warning to his successor: to lead the Zambia Army effectively, its traditions and authority must be defended, even against forces that seek to redefine them. The question remains whether these words will inspire preservation or spark further controversy.

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