Army chief warns against destabilising peace
Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commander General Griffin Supuni-Phiri has warned individuals, groups or organisations from within and beyond that his charges will deal with them if they attempt to destabilise peace in the country.
The MDF chief sounded the warning in Mzuzu yesterday afternoon when President Peter Mutharika visited Moyale Barracks to familiarise himself with the place as well as to appreciate challenges the men and women in uniform are facing.
Supuni-Phiri said his troops are always watchful and ready to deal with any terrorist activities that could destabilise the country.
He said: “Whether they are foreign or domestic enemies, I want to repeat that we are not sleeping. We will not sleep and we will not even blink to ensure that our country is well protected.
“As for domestic enemies, I want to warn here that any person or a group of people or an organisation that think or dream that they can destabilise the country one day, we are ready as MDF and we will deal with such enemies fully so that peace continues to reign.”
During the event, the MDF chief also disclosed that government has bought 33 Tata vehicles currently in transit from South Africa. He said nine other vehicles have already arrived.
Challenges still affecting Moyale Barracks include shortage of accommodation for soldiers as well as lack of improved learning and health services, according to Supuni-Phiri.
He asked government to improve the situation, but also asked that the health clinic at Moyale be upgraded because it also acts as a referral for Chilumba Barracks in Karonga.
In his remarks, Mutharika acknowledged the work that soldiers do in the country such as protecting forests, helping during disasters, elections, maize exports as well as the recent blood suckers rumour in the Southern Region.
He promised to look into the challenges facing the security services in the country, further disclosing that his government will in January 2018 launch a housing project for the sector.
The President said plans are at an advanced stage to build a military referral hospital in Lilongwe.
Coincidentally, on November 13 2008, former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika, an elder brother to the incumbent leader, also visited Moyale Barracks.
The President is in the Northern Region to undertake a number of official engagements. On Sunday he attended the Rembrance Sunday commemoration in Mzuzu.n