Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Opposition Socialist party leader Fred M’membe says there is a real danger of Zambia’s military doctrine being hijacked through the form of security cooperation being suggested of establishing the AFRICOM office of security cooperation at the US embassy.
Dr M’membe says there has been no felt need for a new office within the US embassy.
He says the setting up of the new office escalates the role of AFRICOM in Zambia, adding that such a development has implications for the SADC defence initiatives and raises anxieties in the region.
Dr M’membe points out that Zambia’s military doctrine was for a long time a product of the country’s post independence insights gained through international exposure from a number of countries including Russia,Yugoslavia,China,India, among others, as well as the threats that were posed by colonial fascist regimes supported by Europe and the US.
He states that today’s doctrine has to build on this past, but with a clear understanding of the country’s changed geopolitical situation.
Dr M’membe says it will be extremely dangerous and fatal to turn the Zambian military into some extended arm of the American military.
He states that Zambians need to have a say over the increasing military cooperation with any NATO country and Israel.