LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-On Thursday, June 4, 2020, Malawi Defence Force (MDF) in lakeshore district of Salima at Malawi Armed Forces College (MAFCO) graduated 785 soldiers; 602 males and 183 females.
This is a good development to restore peace and order amid political tension ahead of fresh presidential elections stated for June 23, or July 2, 2020.
But sadly, those recruited are very young; small bodies, short size contrary to the requirements into the force over the years.
The political volatile Malawi is into can not afford these child soldiers as will be easily manipulated with money and political powers as are not intellectually matured and for this noble course.
Even MDF Commander Peter Namathanga acknowledged the political environment Malawi is into.
“We aware of current political environment in the country and comments made against us,” saying MDF’s mandate is clear in the Malawi constitution.
The army is not a dumping site for jobless youths as the way Deputy Minister of Defence Chipiliro Mpinganjira is putting it.
“Government is committed to reducing youth unemployment in the country hence recruitment of the 785 soldiers who have been inducted today at the Malawi Armed Forces College,” Justifies Mpinganjira.
Even the recruitment of these youngsters is usually done dubiously releasing internal vacancies just to benefit already serving officers in the army.
The entire force everyone is related to already serving army officers promoting nepotism and favoritism in the noble professional.
Listen Malawi authority
Malawi can not be compared with advanced nations including USA, Britain that recruit soldiers as young as 17 or 16 years old that before are recruited are put into a military school at tender age while preparing them for physical force in the society.
In any security agent, field work depends on ones age and mental capability. These youngsters can not risk their lives to protect this nation. They will end up running away in times of need.
It’s very unfair to our brothers and sisters who have no connections in the government system to get jobs the way this recruitment has been done.
For instance one senior MDF soldier was over the moon when his two daughters were part of this graduation? Is army a family or relation force? What about those not have connections in MDF.
The syndrome has not even spared Malawi Police Service (MPs) that the entire force everyone is related to one another. Are we serious as a nation on security matters?
Merit should be valued and must shape our fortunes with no impediments or advantages to some rather than others. This conspiracy of the greedy elites must be confronted now not tomorrow.
Fears are over that these child soldiers must be used to intimidate electorates during the forthcoming elections.
Malawi currently requires mature solders but these youngsters will be used during elections if most them have political connections.
The army is not a playing grounds for serving officers’ kids but rather safeguarding Malawi’s sovereignty and integrity against external forces on civilians.