The South African Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Lindile Yam has tasked participants of course 27 at the National Defence College, Nigeria to imbibe the spirit of regional cooperation as part of leadership skills.
Gen. Yam who was the guest speaker at the inaugural educational lecture implored participants to display high level cooperation in the pursuit of African peace, security and stability.
Drawing inspiration for the lecture from the South African perspective, Yam said South African military position aligns with the South African foreign policy.
“South Africa achieved inclusive democracy in 1994.
“Through its legacy of apartheid and armed struggle South Africa learned important lessons of cooperation and solidarity.
“These experiences were to shape South African future foreign policy by building a better world; the diplomacy of ubuntu.
“President Mandela made it clear that the South African future foreign policy will be anchored in the promotion of human rights and democracy”, he said.
The Army Chief noted that as a major economic and military power, South Africa was prepared to participate in Regional Security Mechanism through the African Union (AU) to promote peace and stability in Africa, SADC and the United Nations.
Read Also:
- NDLEA Foils Tapentadol and Tramadol Hard Drugs worth N16.1bn Import and Distribution in Nigeria; As Iran-Bound Cocaine Mule Excretes 76 Wraps at Kano Airport
- CDS At NDA Regimental Dinner Night; Charges Passing-Out Cadets to be Ready for Complex Operational Environment
- Face Governance or Resign; Stop Campaign of Calumny Against Matawalle -:HURIWA tells Zamfara Governor.
The Army Chief disclosed that since the return to global politics in 1994, South Africa has adopted a multilateral approach to conflict resolution.
Revealing that South Africa’s military statutes was recently reviewed to represent what all South Africans really want and the direction their army should operate, General Yam said all strata of the South African society including politicians, business operators, teachers, women, students, the traditional institution etc, participated in the review which has since taken effect.
A high point of the reviewed South African military status that is being implemented by the South African Defence Forces is the fact that “the military will only intervene on issues or operations outside the country, where South African interest is involved, challenged or threatened”.
Responding to his address, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral OO Osinowo thanked the guest speaker for the colourful insights by highlighting the true essence of military leadership skills in maintaining peace in the African region.
The lecture was attended by principal Staff Officers from the Defence and Services headquarters, resource persons from the college as well as participants from the Police and Para-military services.
END
