Africa-Press – Botswana. Batswana are reportedly questioning the benefits of military expenditure and Botswana Defence Force’s (BDF) readiness to offer protection and rescue.
Addressing BDF’s 18th strategic conference for high ranking officials in Gaborone Monday, Minister of Defence and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi said Batswana were not certain if the BDF was ready to respond to harsh challenges.
“They are not convinced that the BDF will play any significant role in protecting them from pandemics,” he said adding that they even doubted if the army could assist when the effects of climate change worsened.
Minister Mmusi therefore urged the army top brass to be alive to and responsive to the citizens’ anxieties by appropriately responding to any threats to their lives and livelihoods.
He called for a more strategic stance to reassure Batswana and a thorough assessment of the country’s security concerns and appropriate interventions.
On another issue, Mr Mmusi further expressed concern over recurring homicide and suicide incidents involving BDF members.
“As a defence force, you are expected to be disciplined and assist in fighting such crimes,” he said.
Mr Mmusi pleaded with BDF leaders to take the lead in the fight against social ills currently bedevilling the country such as gender based violence, passion killings and gender inequality.
The army was however commended for exhibiting exemplary professionalism in the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM).
He said SAMIM highlighted the Botswana’s commitment to the promotion of peace and security regionally as enshrined in the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation which the country was party to.
Minister Mmusi said government would continue ensuring that BDF remained a professional and relevant military outfit through funding its projects such as infrastructure development and acquisition of equipment including aircraft and vehicles.
He said some of the challenges that the Transitional National Development Plan aimed to address included continental terrorism, poaching and cyber security.
For his part, BDF deputy commander, Major Gen Mpho Mophuting said the conference’s main objective was to realign the army’s priorities with those of government as outlined in the plan.
Maj Gen Mophuting said the conference gave the BDF high command an opportunity to engage on strategic issues, introspect and set new goals.
The week-long conference is held under the theme: Consolidation of National Development Plan 11 (NDP11) as a prelude to the determination of future defence capability priorities aimed to unify objectives.
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