The Independent Correspondent
Monday 19th January, 2026
The sacred duty of the Zambia Army is etched in the sworn in solemn oaths; “to protect the sovereignty of the nation and the safety of its citizens against all enemies, foreign and domestic”. Its legitimacy and moral authority flow from the Constitution, the rule of law, and a proud tradition of professionalism that has preserved Zambia’s peace for over six decades. Any posture, statement, or operational approach that appears to depart from this mandate must concern every citizen who values peace, unity, and constitutional governance.
Recent reports arising from a video clip of Army Commander, Lieutenant General Geoffrey Zyeele, have raised grave national concern. The video shows the General giving a “kill order,” or to use his own words Exterminate the illegal minners, and the apparent reference to a security “template” allegedly used in Mufumbwe and now proposed for Mpika are deeply troubling. Such language and intentions contradict the Army’s core mission and risk normalising excessive force and extrajudicial killings against civilians.
The General MUST realize that Zambia continues to grapple with unemployment and economic hardship. Many young people, failed by unmet campaign promises of jobs and opportunity, have turned to illegal mining as a means of survival. This is a socio-economic challenge requiring policy solutions and lawful enforcement—not militarised rhetoric that casts struggling citizens as enemies of the state. Zambian youths are not adversaries; they are citizens deserving of protection, dignity, and opportunity.
The nation has not forgotten the bloodletting that occurred in parts of North-Western Province. Those painful memories should serve as a warning, not a blueprint. To speak of extending such a “template” elsewhere risks reopening wounds and undermining public trust in the security services. Zambia’s peace has endured precisely because force has been restrained, lawful, and accountable.
Equally disturbing are persistent claims—widely discussed in the public domain—of partisan proximity and influence. Allegations that powerful interests linked to mining licenses stand to benefit from a hardline security posture, and that illegal miners are seen as the final obstacle to certain private ambitions, must be confronted with transparency and the rule of law. The Army must never be perceived, rightly or wrongly, as an instrument for advancing private or partisan interests.
Reports that the Army Commander openly identifies as a UPND cadre, if accurate, would represent a clear breach of military standards and the code of conduct that demands political neutrality. No matter how desperate the political moment, the uniform must remain above party politics. The strength of Zambia’s defence forces lies in their impartiality and fidelity to the nation—not to any individual or party.
The President, as Commander-in-Chief, has a constitutional duty to act. Where conduct or statements by any defence chief threaten national peace, undermine professionalism, or erode public confidence, the law provides remedies. Leadership requires decisive action to protect the Republic.
This is also a moment for moral leadership from senior retired commanders. To the likes of Generals Chinkuli, Lopa, and other distinguished veterans: your voices matter. God has preserved you for a reason, and this may be that moment. Guidance, restraint, and counsel from seasoned leaders can avert irreversible harm. Zambia’s peace did not happen by chance; it was safeguarded by noble defence chiefs who understood that the gun serves the Constitution and the people.
Indeed, even at moments of intense political transition, it has been Zambia’s defence leadership that guided presidents to respect the will of the people. We expect no less today. The country must not be pushed into a state of being ungovernable through a “surrogate war” on illegal miners as a pretext for extraordinary measures such as a state of emergency.
Let the men and women in uniform remember the timely words of Lieutenant General Dennis Sitali Alibuzwi, who cautioned them to remain patriotic to the nation, to uphold the code of conduct, and to resist being used for interests that compromise the peace Zambia enjoys. Those words remain timeless.
Zambia is above all personal, partisan, or family interests. We are a peace-loving people, a truth no single individual’s ambition can change. Lieutenant General Geoffrey Zyeele must fall in line. He must rescind any such unlawful orders, apologize to the nation, and submit to the discipline of the state. He must choose the right side of history, lest he be remembered as the first Zambian marched to The Hague for crimes against his own people.
Our collective resolve to uphold constitutionalism is has been forged and protected over 61 years by discipline, humility, and service. No one should seek to change it for personal or private gain.
The people of Zambia are watching. Our peace is not negotiable. Our children’s lives are not collateral for mining licenses. We shall defend our unity and our humanity against all enemies, wherever they may sit.
