Feud erupts at top of Cyprus National Guard

The National Guard of Cyprus faces a serious challenge to its military discipline following a public conflict between top officials. This marks the second such incident in six years, according to an article by Kathimerini's Apostolos Tomaras.

The dispute became public when the Deputy Chief of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Loukas Hadjimichael, issued an open letter criticizing the force's Chief, Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas. This unprecedented public address, which targets a senior officer, constitutes serious military misconduct and undermines efforts to modernize the National Guard with strict rules and discipline.

Military sources emphasize that the issues raised in the letter touch upon significant provisions of the military penal code, given that Hadjimichael is an active officer. The rift between these senior officers cannot be dismissed as an isolated incident, reflecting deeper problems within the force. Previously, political and military leaders have opted to superficially address such conflicts rather than resolve them decisively.

In his letter, Hadjimichael accuses certain officials of treating Cypriot officers and staff derogatorily, attempting to create divisions within the force. This undermines the fundamental pillars of military hierarchy, discipline, and security. By revealing sensitive information about personnel and military unit locations, Hadjimichael also breached security protocols.

The letter concludes with a cryptic remark suggesting ongoing internal issues: "But if others are the counsels of Panagathos, then, rest assured, we still have a lot of work to do, for the National Guard and our Cyprus." Lt. Gen. Hadjimichael's retirement is scheduled for August 31, when his appointment contract expires.

Responsibility for the current situation extends beyond the letter's author. The Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Tsitsikostas, is also accountable for failing to take decisive action. The conflict has persisted since Tsitsikostas's appointment by the President of the Republic, leading to ongoing tension and verbal altercations between the two officers.

The Ministry of Defense's political leadership, both past and present, has been aware of the deteriorating situation but has not intervened effectively, leaving the officers and staff to cope with the resulting climate of tension.