The Editor Zambia
It is disgusting and sickening that a few disgruntled individuals in self-imposed exile are using social media to attack and ridicule the Zambia Army.
If this is not stopped, it can set the very country they claim to love and defend on fire. 
The military’s non-partisan stand does not mean military irrelevance to internal national security responsibilities.
Terrorism, armed insurrection, sabotage, and grave illegal plot to takeover government cannot be categorised as democracy.
Incorporating special forces or recruiting individuals and undertaking military training outside the country amounts to committing treason.
Worse still, when high-grade military weapons are acquired with a view to destabilise the country through overt, it means people have been planning a militia attack on the government.
Such activities do not cease to be of national security concern simply because they occurred during the election period.
Freedom of expression should be exercised with a high degree of responsibility and patriotism, especially when debating on national issues.
Whilst exercising freedom of expression, individuals, especially sponsored content creators, should always be mindful that other people equally enjoy the freedom to be protected.
When self- appointed national spokespersons such self exiled Emmanuel Mwamba, Lillian Mutambo and Emmanuel JJ Banda, Augustine Mukoka drag the Zambia Army into political arguments, they place an unfair and unnecessary burden on the soldiers and injure the professionalism of the defence forces at risk.
It has become concerning to see rising attacks and ridicule on social media directed at the Zambia Army.
This misinformation must be corrected before it becomes accepted as constitutional privilege or entitlement.
The Zambia army is a respected defence institution with a constitutional mandate to protect citizens when need arises.
The Zambia Army belongs to all citizens. It is a national institution of defence, not a political affiliate of any one political party. It deserves the respect of every citizen regardless of who they voted for.
The Defence Force is constitutionally mandated to protect Zambia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests.
Emmanuel Mwamba and his allies should desist from issuing baseless and unsubstantiated allegations against the military institutions and be warned that one day, they will be made to account for their unguarded freedom of expression.
Attacking and ridiculing the Army is not democracy. It amounts to abusing freedom of expression, willy-nilly.
Such behaviours tend to end with long-term consequences. They risk eroding public trust, lower morale being among service men and women, and opens military doors to instability.
If Mwamba claims that the army has the capacity to help politicians win elections, why didn’t the Army help his former boss Edgar Lungu and the Patriotic Front (PF) hold on to power and win 2021 elections?
This is not the first time that soldiers were deployed during elections. In 2021, Zambia had soldiers on the streets, and Mwamba and his allies saw nothing wrong.
The country has enjoyed decades of peace precisely because the country has kept that line clear. People must not cross it now for temporary political anger.
Political analysts have warned politicians, social media commentators, and citizens to channel their grievances through the right institutions, courts, and peaceful dialogue.
People can disagree on the election results, debate policies, and hold leaders accountable without dragging the Army into it.
Zambia is bigger than one election. The peace, unity, and future depend on protecting the institutions that keep the country safe.
Emmanuel Mwamba should stop the attacks on the Army. He must stop the ridicule. Zambians should honour the Army and allow the men and women in uniform to serve the nation with dignity, neutrality, and pride.
