We are concerned with the frequency of reports concerning dissatisfaction, disaffection, disenchantment and general unhappiness within some ranks of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).
The importance of the work done by the soldiers in the maintenance of peace and security for this country needs not be over emphasized.
It is irrefutable that the BDF has tremendously contributed to national peace and tranquility over the years.
Since its inception ours has remained a small, but highly professional army.
It has over the years remained apolitical. And it is our hope that it remains so.
The BDF was established in 1977 to protect our country from foreign invasion at a time when southern Africa was besieged with liberation wars.
The BDF has from infancy diligently executed its functions. It has over the years displayed selfless commitment and dedication in the discharge of its duties; nationally and internationally.
This is in addition to its professionalism in dealing with delicate issues including national disasters that from time to time befall the country.
By way of illustration, the BDF is at the forefront of the country’s anti-poaching campaign ÔÇô or at least it used to. Had it not been for the sterling work of the BDF in this regard, our wildlife tourism could by now have suffered irreparable damage as some endangered species faced extinction in the face of sophisticated poaching of which the regular wildlife scouts were no match.
Government has identified tourism as an alternative engine for economic growth and diversification away from the mining sector. The deployment of the BDF troops to supplement the Wildlife Officers has gone a long way in protecting our endangered and rare wildlife species which were threatened by extinction if government had not put up a massive campaign to fight poaching. There is no doubt that the BDF came handy in that regard.
If we are hit by natural disasters like floods and veld fires, we immediately turn to the BDF for assistance. This goes a long way in demonstrating the usefulness of the BDF to this country and its economy. As crime has continued to take its toll on us, we have looked to the BDF to supplement the manpower shortage in the Botswana Police Service.
Currently our soldiers have been deployed to help fight the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease in affected areas. The Department of Veterinary Services would not win this battle alone on their own.
The above are just a few examples of the meticulous work that the BDF has done for this country.
There is no need for us to highlight the marvelous work by our servicemen (and now women) in their international assignments in countries like Mozambique, Somalia and Sudan.
Having said so we are apprehensive that if the concerns and unhappiness expressed by the soldiers especially the non-commissioned officers are not expeditiously addressed, they have the potential to cause national instability. In the past the BDF has been the major beneficiary of the budget allocation for the Ministry of State President until its budget was overtaken by HIV/AIDS as a result of potential annihilation the nation faced from the disease.
Having been such a benefactor of a generous budget allocation, the larger chunk of the appropriation has without fail, gone into development budget at the expense of recurrent budget.
Bluntly put, the authorities are concerned with acquisition of hardware and equipment without due consideration for the army personnel.
We note also that even as the army development budget has consistently been larger, it would seem like housing needs have not been a very high priority.
We cannot as responsible citizens afford to look away and remain aloof when the soldiers are frequently expressing their unhappiness.
It is in this vein that we urge the relevant authorities especially the Commander-in chief and State President Ian Khama and the BDF commander Lt-General Tebogo Masire to expeditiously address the concerns of the soldiers. We should not lull ourselves into a false sense of security that if the soldiers vent their anger, they face to be charged with acts of mutiny which attract the death penalty.
History shows that it would be silly to believe that the fear of a death sentence is sufficient enough a deterrent to suppress the humiliated emotions that have been building over many years.
We sense a big problem which needs urgent attention and it is therefore appropriate that we call on the relevant authorities to address the issues and find an amicable solution.
A mutiny by the soldiers is something that we as a country do not desire. We also appeal to the soldiers to be level headed in dealing with their problems because we do not believe that it is not possible to find a solution to their concerns.
To the relevant authorities we say forewarned is forearmed.
