WE ARE READY FOR ANOTHER UNREST - MASHIKILISANE

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.

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