In commemorative to “Father Zimbabwe,” Constantino Chiwenga’s insight reaches
farther north and west to a painful quest for ethical leadership, peace and
reconciliation amidst the impenetrable impunity of violence: militarism,
conflict, and war.
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“S
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poilers,” Obstructionists
Happenings or conditions headlined as “civil or domestic conflicts are
in reality often influenced or characterized by international processes, causes
and consequences.”
Spoilers are (though not exclusively) “actors who are geographically
external to the conflict but who support internal spoilers and spoiling
tactics: ethnic or national Diaspora groups, states, political allies,
multinational corporations,” (any person or entity that) “might benefit from
violent conflict or from holding out.”
Military’s Paradoxical, Contradictory, Misplaced Role in Peace
In the post World War II era, he writes, “… peace-making, peace
keeping, peace-building, peace enforcement and military aid to civil authorities
(MACA) etc., … morphed into key and central functions of the military.”
The world’s use of “military in peace-building creates what can be termed ‘a
culture of militarism’ stemming from the belief that peace building can only be
achieved through use of force and violence.”
Yet for many there seems “no obvious, discernible link between the
military, ethics and peace-building” in that they “associate the military with
war and destructive power.” Military “is generally and traditionally understood
as an institutional instrument designed to inflict physical harm, violence and
death on an enemy”—“however ‘enemy’ is defined.”
Any violent conflict involves the military as a key player in one way or
the other,” thus begging the questions of “appropriateness, legitimacy, and
applicability” of “military” in the context or process of “peace-building.” By their disparate definitions, they would seem “contradictory.”
And paradoxical, Chiwenga suggests, in that “… the military is but one
player in a peace building process” in which “an integrated effort” is
required. “Peace and stability, once established, he says “must be defended at
all costs.” [One hopes by nonviolent means.]
ESSENTIALS sought
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E
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thical Leadership
“Ethical leadership is understood as a form of leadership in which
individuals demonstrate conduct for the common good” [my emphasis] — conduct “that is acceptable
and appropriate in every area of a society’s life.”
Moreover, Chiwenga continues, “Ethical leaders share some common traits
and characteristics— such as
…commitment to justice, respect for others, honesty, humanity, focus on unity and national team-building, value-driven decision making, encouraging initiatives, and self-accusation
…leadership by example
…awareness of and intolerance for violations of ethical principles
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R
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econciliation
Preferring a political science construct of reconciliation, Chiwenga recalls
that “political scientists and international relations explain reconciliation
as
…a restructuring process of negotiation, meditation, and arbitration oriented on political, legal, security and economic systems of a society’.
And as such, he affirms,
“reconciliation seeks to prevent a recurrence of a conflict situation and to build a stable environment that allows inclusive interaction in a previously conflicted situation for the construction of … long (lasting) peace.”
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G
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eneral Constantino Chiwenga’s words commemorating the 101st birth
year of “Father Zimbabwe”— Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo b. June 19, 1917, d. July
1, 1999 — seem especially fitting given the state of contemporary Washington
and relations among world nations.
Sources
The Herald (Harare) Zimbabwe July 2, 2018 “Unpacking Military’s Role in
Peace-Building” document Constantino Chiwenga https://www.herald.co.zw/unpacking-militarys-role-in-peace-building/
In commemoration Constantino Chiwenga advised Zimbabwe to “treasure… the
exploits, traits, peace building and national reconciliation” that “Father
Zimbabwe” advocated “for the betterment” and “livelihoods of all Zimbabweans.”
AllAfrica July 2, 2018 “Unpacking military’s role in peace-building” commemorating
former vice president Nkomo,” current Vice President Constantino Chiwenga https://allafrica.com/stories/201807020181.html [The Herald distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
“AllAfrica publishes around 800 reports a day from more than 140 news
organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a
diversity of positions on every topic.” AllAfrica publishes “news and views
ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and
spokespersons.” Individual publishers responsible for individual content https://allafrica.com/stories/201807020181.html
Wikipedia
CHIWENGA
Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga is a soldier and politician:
a Zimbabwean general (ret.) and Zimbabwe’s co-vice president (December 2017- ) and
vice president of the ruling ZANU-PF party (December 2017 - ). He has also been
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Defense, Security and War Veterans); commander of both
the Zimbabwe Defense Forces and the Zimbabwe National Army; chairman of the “Joint
Operations Command” (commanders of ZNA, Prison Services, Central Intelligence Organization,
Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Air Force of Zimbabwe). He was a participant “during
the Zimbabwe land reform program” and is “a beneficiary of the land seizures.” Chiwenga
and his wife are reportedly “on the sanctions list” of Zimbabwean officials barred
from entering the European Union and the United States. Born Constantine Guveya Chiwenga in the Wedza district of
Mashonaland East Province (Zimbabwe), he later changed his name to Constantino
Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga. He was educated at a mission school and military
institutions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantino_Chiwenga
NKOMO
Known affectionately as “Father Zimbabwe” and “Chibwechitedza”
(the slippery rock) Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo was a Zimbabwean politician and
the country’s vice president from 1987 to 1999. He was the leader and founder
of the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) party and a member of the Ndebele
people (Kalanga). “He was a trades union leader who became president of the
banned National Democratic Party and was jailed for ten years by Rhodesia’s
white minority government.” In Zimbabwe, Nkomo has been “declared a National
Hero (1999) and is buried in the National Heroes Acre in Harare.” A set of four
postage stamps with his image (design by Cedric D. Herbert) were issued by the
Post and Telecommunications Corporation of Zimbabwe. Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo
Nkomo b. June 19, 1917, d. July 1, 1999. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Nkomo
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