SOUTHERN AFRICA: SADC peacekeeping brigade moves ahead

[XXPANTHAXX]

MAUN, 28 Jun 2005 (IRIN) - The Southern African Development
Community (SADC) has moved a step closer to forming a rapid
response brigade for deployment in peacekeeping operations
and hotspots on the continent and elsewhere.

At the end of the multinational Exercise Thokgamo (Setswana
for serenity) in Maun on Thursday the regional bloc's
executive secretary, Dr Prega Ramsamy, said SADC had
demonstrated its commitment to play a positive role in the
establishment and maintenance of a peaceful, stable and
secure Africa.

The peacekeeping exercise was set in the framework of a civil
war in Ngamiland, a fictitious southern African country,
where order was subsequently restored by 3,300 troops from 12
of the 14 SADC countries: Botswana, Angola, Zimbabwe,
Namibia, Malawi, Tanzania, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho,
Zambia, Madagascar and Mozambique.

Mauritius and the Democratic Republic of Congo did not
participate in the training programme.

"This exercise paves the way for the involvement of SADC in
peacekeeping operations not only in Southern Africa but also
beyond the borders of our region, under the mandate of the UN
and the African Union (AU)," Ramsamy commented.

The AU has decided to form regional military brigades in
North Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa and
Central Africa for use in collective security efforts by the
international community.

SADC member countries were also exposed to regional
cooperation and political goodwill in peacekeeping, decision-
making, humanitarian relief operations, casualty evacuation,
information gathering, hostage rescue and stress management,
said Ramsamy.

Botswana's President Festus Mogae said Exercise Thokgamo
had "demonstrated to the world" that the region had the will
and capacity to secure its own future.

"Besides being positioned to react to local threats, this
brigade will become the pillar of the all-African Standby
Force, which is being established by the AU," said Mogae.

The region had been a focal point of armed conflict not long
ago, he observed, "as our people struggled to free themselves
from the shackles of colonialism and apartheid, but today we
are increasingly able to enjoy the fruits of sustained peace".

"From being a location of international concern and political
rivalry, Southern Africa has thus transformed into an example
for others of what can be achieved through reconciliation and
a common purpose," Mogae said.

SADC states were increasingly engaged in international peace
efforts, as recent events "have confirmed our global village
is confronted with emerging threats that can only be
effectively addressed if we are brave enough to see beyond
what is parochial, so as to achieve a new multilateral
consensus on securing our common destiny", he added.

"While Exercise Thokgamo has been a practical manifestation
of regional self-reliance and Pan-African ideas, it is also
evidence of the potential for wider multilateral partnerships
in meeting global security challenges," Mogae pointed out.

Twenty-four NGOs from the region and 51 officers of the
Botswana Police Services were also involved.

Exercise commander Brigadier Letsogile Motsumi of the
Botswana Defence Forces said the manoeuvres were organised by
Botswana and France in terms of France's Re-Enforcement of
African Capabilities in Peacekeeping Programme (RECAMP).

It was important to note the broad participation of SADC
member states in Exercise Thokgamo, commented South African
Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota, saying, "We will now have a
regional standby brigade which is made up of all SADC member
states."