By Kondanani Chilimunthaka
His Excellency the state president of the republic of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera who is also the commander in chief of the Malawi defence force on Sunday morning attended the memorial service of the soldiers who fought in the first and second world wars in 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 respectively.
During the service which took place at Mzuzu Upper Stadium, president Chakwera led the nation in remembering the fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty to save their countrymen by laying a wreath on a memorial pillar. Also laying their wreaths were the war veteran who fought in the two wars and still lives Warrant class 2 Frank Masiyano who represented the X-soldiers and warrant class 2 Jimmy Ninde who laid the wreath on behalf of the current serving soldiers.
It is reported that during the second world war around 1940s, Nyasaland soldiers popularly known as asilikali a keyala fought on the side of Britain against Italian troops at Moyali in Kenya , a name that end up earning Moyale barracks in Mzuzu. It is believed that during these wars 10 million soldiers died and over 20 million others got wounded.
Malawian soldiers also fought in the wars of Nacara corridor and in Rwanda and are currently providing services in countries like Ivory Coast and Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC).
The remembrance ceremony which is an annual event is characterised by prayers from different denominations, military parade, gun salute, and laying of wreaths. In Mzuzu the ceremony was also attended by the speaker of the national assembly Hon. Catherine Gotani Hara, Chief Justice Nyirenda, deputy minister of defence Hon. Jean Sendeza and the leader of opposition Hon. Kondwani Nankhumwa among others. Apart from Mzuzu the similar ceremonies have taken place in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Zomba where the state presdent Dr. Lazarus Chakwera was represented.
