What is the state of civil-military relations in Zambia? In April 2004, the Institute for Security Studies held a workshop on civil-military relations and disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) in Zambia. This book is the product of that workshop. It highlights the need for Zambia to promote good civil-military relations in order to deal with internal economic and political pressures.
Zambia will always need a military force to defend the state and its people. Defence and security agencies serve the interests of the nation in line with the constitution. It is therefore incumbent upon legislators and the executive to plan and budget for a force of appropriate size, and in a transparent way. Such a force should be allowed to operate professionally and efficiently. Civil military relations should be a matter of concern for all, both military and non-military.
Civil-military relations are not simply interactions between the military, the state and society. Rather, they are a complex network involving all these institutions, as well as interactions between various components of the institutions themselves. Analysis of civil-military relations in Zambia, including economic and regional dimensions, and DDR highlights the following conclusions:
- Southern African states face the challenge of absorbing liberal democratic values into civil-military relations. They must address fears of introducing new concepts that impact upon the social and political context of the state.
- Most Zambians want defence and security units to become more professional, cost-effective and ‘user friendly’. They want defence and security units to remain non-partisan and they want improved salaries, conditions and opportunities for soldiers.
- Suspicion has fuelled civil-military relations in Zambia. The military and civil society have never bonded through fighting a common threat. A greater effort by all parties to improve interaction and understanding will lead to a harmonious relationship.
- The Zambian government is improving its macroeconomic environment, which will enable it to better finance its defence and security requirements.
- Militaries in Africa generally lack transparency and are inefficient. Defence budgets are closed to public scrutiny and little control is exercised over defence expenditure. Defence management is not aligned with the principles of defence in a democracy.
- The international community persists in focusing on technical aspects of peacebuilding. The UN is unable to reach consensus on addressing the underlying dynamics of conflicts. In this context, ‘successful’ DDR is illusory.
- To improve civil-military relations, more public relations offices should be established and made fully accessible to the public. Such offices have already been established by the Zambian police.
- Only in very rare circumstances should the military be used for internal disturbances. Instead, the police should be used for internal problems.
- DDR is a necessary step after mobilisation and should be budgeted for. DDR should not be left to the Ministry of Defence alone, but should be shared by all ministries. Disarmament should be more thorough, in order to reduce armed crime.
- Zambian women who marry refugees should have some legal protection and should be given training to inform them of their rights. Children of refugees should also be given legal protection.
- Refugees who have opted to remain in Zambia and take up residence should be allowed to do so.
