South Africa Army Chief Canvasses Consolidation of Regional Security

South Africa Army Chief Canvasses Consolidation of Regional Security

The South African Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen. Lindile Yam has reiterated the consolidation of regional security systems, while not compromising the bilateral relations amongst countries in Africa, adding that regional security cooperation has come to stay.

General Yam stated this while briefing newsmen shortly after his presentation at the auditorium of the National Defense College (NDC) in Abuja.

General Lindile Yam also advocated the use of negotiations rather than the use of force in any crisis, stressing that the goal of any country was peaceful co-existence and economic empowerment for its citizenry.

General Yam noted that the reason armies existed was to ensure security and peace so that their respective country’s economies could thrive, adding that anything outside these was out of tune with current realities.

He described the Nigerian army as a “very experienced” army that had worked to ensure peace and stability, not only in Nigeria and the West African sub-region, but the continent in general.

Yam said that cooperation between both armies was imperative, hence he visited to explore ways to strengthen the cooperation.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian and South African Armies have pledged to rededicate efforts toward future collaboration to enhance capacities in eradicating contemporary security challenges.

The Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai and his South African counter-part, Lt. General Lindile Yam made this known during a joint press conference at the Nigerian Army Headquarters in Abuja.

Yam who spoke first noted that the armies existed to ensure security in their respective countries and bolster economic activities.

He explained their resolve to strengthen issues of joint training and sharing intelligence platforms at both operational and tactical levels as part of the Nigerian/South African defence collaboration.

In his address, the Nigerian Army Chief said already Nigeria has benefited from the joint military exercise with the South African army.

He noted that some Nigeria Special forces personnel have been trained in South Africa, and that currently there is exchange of staff at both Nigerian and South African military institutions.

He said Nigeria looks forward to a robust collaboration in the area of defence industry expansion.