At the end of the civil-military relations seminar at the Joint Officers Mess on Thursday, the Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier General Lang Tombong Tamba, has informed the participants that there would be 'Zero Tolerance' in the Army when it comes to intimidation and harassment of civilians.

Tamba assured the participants that the civil-military relations have changed for good and that the two camps should now see each other as one family. He went on to commend the Center for Civil-Military Relations Africa Program Manager, Rtd. Colonel Mensch and Professor Letitia Lawson who facilitated the three days seminar.

Brigadier-General Tamba said the purpose of the seminar was to discuss civil-military relations and military professionalism in general with special emphasis on the role of the Armed Forces in time of peace, and relations between the security forces and the legislative branch of government. He said it is a right move in the right direction.

Brigadier General Tamba emphasized that the military is here for the public, noting that they need public support to make their task of safeguarding them realisable. He urged the public to see them (soldiers) as their sons, daughters, etc. He pointed out that they (soldiers) are servants of the people. He noted that once the public gives them (the soldiers) the support they need they would be more accommodative to them. He assured his audience that his forces would not intimidate or harass civilians.

He went on to say that the public must understand the role of the military in society and urged civil society to educate the public so that they can have a clear perspective. He acknowledged their responsibility to sensitize the public for them to understand the roles and functions of the military and advocated for the sharing of experience with civil society, noting that the officers' mess is open to civilians. He was quick to point out that in other countries, an officers' mess is open only to the military. "Our doors are open," he said. He indicated that their public relations department has been willing to entertain media practitioners. "It is always available to the media for information," he remarked.

In conclusion, the Chief of Defense Staff emphasized: "There is no soldier or officer who will willfully wish to use his gun against his/her brother/sister. They will not use them against you unnecessarily."

For his part, Colonel Mensch commended participants for giving themselves time to be part of the seminar, considering their diverse nature of duties. He said the seminar would increase the level of mutual understanding on the part of the armed forces and civil society regarding their respective roles, missions and responsibilities in a democracy.

Participants prepared a plan of action to guide future contacts between Armed/security forces and civil society, which was handed over to Chief of Defense Staff Brigadier General Lang Tombong Tamba. The CDS commended the participants for creating a road map to guide the relations in the future. The participants were also awarded with certificates of participation, which were presented to them by the Chief of Defense Staff.