ZNS COMMANDER HONORED WITH NEW BOOK REVEALING UNTOLD STORY OF ZAMBIAN SOLDIERS’ CAPTIVITY

Ubuntu EditorOctober 4, 2024

The Zambia National Service Commander Lieutenant General (Engr) Maliti Solochi II, has received a gripping new book revealing the harrowing true story of Zambian Army soldiers captured by Sierra Leone’s notorious Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels during a peacekeeping mission in the year 2000.
The book titled “UN Hostages of Peace In Sierra Leone: The Untold Battle for Rogberi Junction” and authored by Brigadier General Dr. David Suuba Sanene aims to set the record straight about the incident where Zambian Battalion (ZAMBATT) peacekeepers, serving under the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), were taken captive by RUF rebels led by Foday Sankoh, who received backing from then-Liberian President Charles Taylor.
Speaking when he presented the book to Lt Gen Solochi at ZNS Headquarters in Lusaka yesterday, Gen Sanene said the book whose official launch is yet to be set, is expected to provide a detailed account of the events surrounding the crisis, honoring the bravery and resilience of the Zambian peacekeepers.
He said the ZNS also has a rich history of participating in peace keeping missions citing Sudan as one of the countries , including supporting liberation struggles in Sudan, neighboring countries and participating in regional conflicts.
“My motivation stems from the desire to highlight the battalion’s ordeal, considered one of the worst nightmares in the Zambia Army’s history. By sharing this story, I seek to honor the bravery and resilience of the soldiers who endured unimaginable hardship,” Gen Sanene said.
He said plans to launch the book on the Zambian market is the pipeline to ensure that Zambians got the true picture of what happened during the operation.
And receiving the book, Lt Gen Solochi congratulated the author for his book publication, highlighting its significance in documenting military history.
He said leaving a written record of the military history is a responsibility owed to posterity, allowing them to draw wisdom and insight from past experiences.
“I am honored and inspired by this publication. It has encouraged me to embark on writing my own book, contributing to the preservation of our military history and lessons learned, “the ZNS Commander said.
Lt Gen Solochi said ZNS has a storied past, marked by significant military operations and contributions to liberation struggles in neighboring countries, including Sudan, as well as participation in regional conflicts
And the book publisher, Sotrane Publishers Chief Executive Officer, Dr Sydney Muponda pledged to collaborate with authors in the Defence Force to support the writing and publishing of military-related stories.
Dr Muponda said the partnership will enable the preservation of the Zambia Army’s and the Defence Force history and experiences, making them accessible to a wider audience.
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