Zambia’s newly appointed Army Commander, Lieutenant General Geoffrey Choongo Zyeele, has called for a drastic improvement in collaboration between the country’s military branches.
Lt Gen Zyeele, who took office on September 12, 2024, identified a lack of cooperation as a critical issue hindering the Defence Force’s ability to serve the nation effectively.
He emphasized his commitment to fostering stronger relationships with the Zambia National Service (ZNS) and other branches, stressing the importance of teamwork for optimal operational efficiency.
“It’s high time the Defence Service Chiefs revamped our Sister Service relations,” Lt Gen Zyeele declared during a courtesy visit with ZNS Commander, Lieutenant General Maliti Solochi.
He advocated for a shift from mere theory to demonstrably stronger inter-branch cooperation through joint activities and initiatives.
The Army Commander underscored the importance of mutual respect and understanding among military branches, calling it a vital foundation for national progress.
He further announced plans to leverage ZNS’s agricultural expertise to enhance the Army’s self-sufficiency and contribute to Zambia’s food security.
Lt Gen Zyeele revealed that the Army had secured land for cultivation, aiming to bolster the national food basket amidst a looming dry spell.
He commended ZNS for its agricultural advancements and expressed his desire to replicate their success within the Army.
ZNS Commander Lt Gen Solochi pledged his full support to Lt. Gen.
Zyeele’s leadership and emphasised the importance of action-oriented collaboration for national development.
He even proposed the establishment of joint milling plants to produce “Buffalo” brand mealie meal, suggesting it would boost both food security and morale.
By Moses Makwaya
Kalemba September 27, 2024
