SOCIALIST Party leader Dr Fred M’membe says the Army cannot command respect by enforcing silence. On Monday, Zambia Army Spokesperson Col Sydney Mwewa said the Defence Force must not be drawn into partisan political discourse, as its allegiance remains to the nation. He further urged political players and members of the public to exercise restraint when discussing matters relating to national security. Responding to that in a Facebook article, Tuesday, Dr M’membe said the statement by the Defence Force exposed a fundamental friction point, adding that issuing “blanket” demands for civic silence misinterpreted the nature of democratic oversight. “In a constitutional democracy, the relationship between the citizenry and the military must be anchored on absolute statutory clarity, structural subordination, and...