APA-Lusaka (Zambia) President Hakainde Hichilema on Wednesday sacked Collin Barry as commander of Zambia Air Force, replacing him with his former deputy Oscar Nyoni.
State House spokesperson Clayson Hamasaka said the removal of Barry was with immediate effect.
“The President has since appointed Major-General Oscar Nyoni as Zambia Air Force Commander and has since promoted him to the substantive rank of Lieutenant-General in the Zambia Air Force,” Hamasaka said in a statement.
He added: “Further, the President has appointed Brigadier-General Arthur Kalaluka as Zambia Air Force Deputy Commander and has since promoted him to the substantive rank of Major-General.”
Both Nyoni and Kalaluka were sworn-in by Hichilema during a ceremony held at State House in Lusaka on Wednesday.
Nyoni is a seasoned pilot with 35 years of military service. He has held several appointments in the Zambia Air Force, including being officer commanding Air Transport Support Command, chief of operations and chief of air staff.
JN/APA