Chakwera calls for a skilled military

President Lazarus Chakwera has underscored the importance of equipping military officers with necessary skills to enable them to provide maximum security to the country in times of emergencies.

The President made the remarks on Friday at the Malawi Defence Force Command and Staff College in Salima District, when he presided over graduation ceremony of the second cohort of senior military officers who have completed 46 weeks of training in different strategic military courses.

Chakwera, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Malawi Defence Force said having a strong army with high moral values will guarantee the country’s national security, therefore advised them to put what they have learnt to good use.

“You should follow orders from your leadership, lead those behind you with diligence and do not be power hungry, stop chasing heroism rather you should be noble and avoid being exploited by others,” he said.

CHakwera commended the graduating students for persevering extensive studies and being disciplined.

The graduation of the second cohort follows the establishment of the college in 2021, making it the highest academic army institution offering political and social economic courses to military officers, with an aim of improving ethics, discipline and military standards.

The college’s commandant Brigadier General Luke Mwetseni Yetala disclosed that they have reviewed their curriculum to align it with the Southern African curriculum in military training.

“We continue to refine our curriculum so that we provide skills to the military and security of the country. We sent students to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana, so that they can understand global trends and contemporary military operating environment,” he said.

Twenty-eight men and three women were awarded certificates after undergoing intensive training in defence writing, land operation, special forces operations, military aid to civil authorities and logistics management, among others.

The high-level trainings drew military officers from Zambia, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania and hosts Malawi.