Odillo handover to Maulana: Tips Malawi soldiers against Facebook
Former commander of the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) General Henry Odillo on Monday handed over sword of command to the newly appointed army commander General Ignacious Maulana at Kamuzu Barracks in Lilongwe.
President Peter Mutharikalast month replaced Odillo, who came into the limelight in April 2012 for preventing an alleged coup when Bingu wa Mutharika died, with Maulana.
Odillo said he was leaving the MDF “a happy man knowing that I have done my part.”
He described his 36 years experience with the Malawi army as “exciting and challenging.”
Odillo expressed delight to have contributed towards improvement of welfare of soldiers during his leadership.
The outgoing army chief advised soldiers against posting sensitive issues on social media.
“The tendency of commenting through social media on incidents or issues we know little or nothing about is of greatest concern,” he said.
He said MDF has a Public Information Officer who is the official mouth piece.
“Anyone commenting outside this structure shows lack of discipline and pride,” he said.
General Maulana saluted Odillo for “uplifting the welfare of soldiers and those within the military, he did a very wonderful job.”
Maulana also hailed Odillo for “patriotism and strong character of upholding the constitution.”
The new army commander comes in at a time when the MDF is embroiled in alleged acts of theft of billions of public resources.
Maulana, who was chief of military operations, will be deputised by Brigadier Griffin Supuni who has replaced John Msonthi.
Supuni has been based at the Malawi mission at the United Nations in New York.
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