'Beware of modern day terrorism,' says Chiwenga

Zimbabweans have been challenged to be aware of the changing trends of modern day terrorism as it poses a threat to the continent's future.

In his presentation at the National Defence College (NDC), Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Constantine Chiwenga said illegal regime change, political, economic and military interference currently taking place in Africa have emerged as new forms of terrorism which security forces and the generality of the public have to look out for.

He said the scramble for African natural resources has seen some western countries sponsoring terrorism in countries where they are denied the resources and economic control sighting the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Libya and Kenya.

"There is a thin dividing line between terrorism and economic sabotage. In Zimbabwe the cholera outbreak to which the West denied the country medicine is another form of terrorism," said General Chiwenga.

General Chiwenga said although it has become difficult for the defence and security forces in Africa, with Zimbabwe included, to execute their mandate due to the economic siege, the continent needs to work together and forge local, regional and international alliances to promote and protect peace in Africa.

"What remains is putting the country back on its feet. We as the security and unformed forces will continue to mobilise resources and the use of early warnings and surveillance systems," he added.

General Chiwenga's presentation was entitled: 'The Evolving of Terrorism Threat, Defence and Security Force Mobilisation at the Continental and Sub-regional Level'.

Participants of the Course Number 2 of 2013 were drawn from different sections of the uniformed forces.