Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary Maambo Hamaundu, has called on defence and security experts from Zambia and Zimbabwe to be frank, candid and thorough in formulating rules of procedure that will guide the Defence and Security Cluster of the Zambia-Zimbabwe Binational…

Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary Maambo Hamaundu, has called on defence and security experts from Zambia and Zimbabwe to be frank, candid and thorough in formulating rules of procedure that will guide the Defence and Security Cluster of the Zambia-Zimbabwe Binational Commission.

The Permanent Secretary says the government is delighted to officiate at the gathering of experts drawn from the defence and security wings of the two countries, convened to develop a durable framework for engagement.

Speaking when he officially opened the Central Defence and Security Committee Meeting of the Zambia-Zimbabwe Binational Commission in Lusaka today, the PS commended the initiative, saying it was critical to ensure continuity and progress in maintaining peace and security.

He said the objective of the meeting is to ensure that the defence and security cluster does not lose track of the milestones and progressive measures already put in place for the maintenance of peace and security along the common border, which stretches approximately 800 kilometers.

“We must not lose track of the milestones that we achieved, of the plans that we have made, of the progress that we had initiated, despite this change,” he said.

PS recalled that the two countries had made a number of resolutions and decisions under the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security, saying following the elevation of the engagement to a Binational Commission, it was important not to lose focus but to build on past achievements.

He said the elevation gives more impetus to continue with the co-mandate of the defence and security wings, whom he described as the first and last line of defence for both countries.

The Permanent Secretary urged delegates to ensure their deliberations are thorough and exhaustive in order to come up with rules of procedure that will stand the test of time.

“Let us be critical in our analysis. Let us interrogate the documents thoroughly. There is no need for us to hold back,” he said.

He said the meeting brings together various professionals including lawyers, military experts and civilians, and called on all minds to converge and develop the rules of procedure.

The PS assured delegates of government’s unwavering support for the meeting and for future engagements under the Binational Commission, stating that the government will not allow the peace and security obtained in the two countries to be disturbed.

He described the experts gathered as unsung heroes and anchors of peace and security for both nations, whose work often goes unnoticed by the public.

He expressed confidence that given their rich experience in managing the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security, the experts will execute the task ably and produce a document that will shape future engagement on national defence and security.

“The document that you come up with here has an indication of what the future will look like and I am very confident that with this team here, the future is definitely bright,” he said.