Times Of Swaziland: WE ARE READY FOR ANOTHER UNREST - MASHIKILISANE

WE ARE READY FOR ANOTHER UNREST - MASHIKILISANE
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Sifiso Dlamini on 06/04/2024 08:06:00


NOKWANE – UEDF Army Commander, Hulumende Moses Mashikilisane )Fakudze says
they are ready for another civil unrest should there be one in future.
He says traditional and non-traditional national security threats have inspired
the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) to stay combat ready. This was
revealed by the army commander during the 51st Army Day celebration which was
held at the Army Headquarters at Nokwane yesterday. Fakudze welcomed the
Commander-in-Chief, His Majesty King Mswati III, on behalf of the general
command staff, officers and members of the UEDF.
On his personal capacity, the commander took the opportunity to welcome Their
Majesties and distinguished guests who joined the UEDF in celebration of the
army’s 51 years since it was established. He further extended a warm welcome
to the Queen Mother Indlovukazi for gracing the occasion with her presence as
well as Emakhosikati.
Guests
Fakudze also recognised His Majesty’s, special guests and African statesman
who were in their midst. The army commander shared that the theme for the 51st
Army Day was titled ‘UEDF transformation, a strategic approach to combat
readiness’. “The selection of this theme has been informed by  traditional
and non-traditional security threats which have direct and indirect
ramifications to the Kingdom of Eswatini’s national defence and security
environment,” said the commander.
The commander said consequently, the traditional and global security threats
have challenged the defence force to initiate robust reforms in a quest to
militate against the volatilities. He outlined that the mitigations included
strategic policy and legislative reforms, deployment of defence attachés,
adaptation of training and weaponry systems in line with the ever changing
nature of warfare, as well as accelerated training and education in cyber
security.
He said the reforms were intended to re-shape the UEDF into a versatile,
effective and efficient military establishment that would be a force to be
reckoned with internally, regionally and internationally, particularly with
regards to national defence, law enforcement and peace support operations. He
jokingly said that was how far his English could take him and reverted to
siSwati, much to the amusement of their Majesties and all attendees.
“Lwandlolukhulu, siphela lapho singisi silo sikhulu nami lebengisilungisile
wena waphakathi,” he said.
He acknowledged that he was not the main speaker in the event as the army was
eagerly waiting for His Majesty’s remarks. He stated that his main task was to
introduce His Majesty the King. He, however, took the opportunity to thank the
King and recalled that since the last Army Day, where the King announced
promotions meant to fill vacant posts, which he said was of great encouragement
to the army.
Base
Elaborating, the commander thanked the King for his recent visit to where he
also cut the sod for a new army base. He further thanked the ministry of
defence, government for their collaborative effort in assisting the army with
the necessary resources to execute their mandate of ensuring national defence.
Fakudze also thanked the King and the Prime Minister, Russell Mmiso Dlamini, who
was the then  National Disaster Management Agency, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
for taking then time to visit the army personnel who were injured during the
unprecedented civil unrest.
The commander also thanked the Deputy Prime Minister Thuli Dladla who visited
families of the deceased army personnel who were casualties during the civil
unrest. “This has given us encouragement and assurance that His Majesty the
King had their welfare at heart no matter the situations they may face and
knowing that their families would be looked after even if we lose our lives in
defence of the nation,” he said.