Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa says his government will ensure the Zimbabwe Defense Forces-ZDF  are fully equipped and trained in line with the changing environment.

Addressing the military and thousands of civilians who thronged the National Sports Stadium to mark the 39th anniversary of the establishment of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces and to celebrate the Defense Forces Day on Tuesday, he said his administration supported efforts to modernize the military.

“In view of the ever-changing socio-economic, technological and security architecture, the modernization of our defense forces has become urgent and imperative,” he added.

He said his administration is therefore prioritizing the upgrading of equipment as well as facilitating focused training of specialized units in both the army and air force.

At the international level, he said the government would ensure that ZDF played its role in the achievement of Africa’s Agenda 2063 and promote the silencing of guns on the continent.

“Zimbabwe is indeed committed and ready to play its part in ensuring a more peaceful, empowered, modernized, industrialized and integrated Africa,” he said.

He commended the army for working with international partners in the removal of anti-personnel mines which were planted during the war of liberation in the 1970s.

He said a cumulative area of 900,000 square meters had been cleared between Aug. 2018 and June 2019.