|
SADC defence chiefs mull task force
2007-05-03 09:24:57
By Njonanje Samwel
Chiefs of security and defense forces from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) currently meeting in Dar es Salaam have unveiled plans to form a regional military brigade.
The unit will undertake peace and combat missions among member states.
They want a militarily independent SADC that can intervene in case of crisis, emergency or carrying out peace missions in the region, a role currently played by the United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU).
Addressing the SADC Defense Sub Committee meeting in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Tanzania Peoples Defense Forces Chief, General George Waitara, said plans to establish the contingent were at advanced stage.
He said the brigade was expected to serve as an independent security instrument that would halt on-and-off civil conflicts.
``It is going to act as emergency response to various regional crises,” he added.
The brigade will be under the command of SADC Head of Defence Secretariat in Botswana and will have troops ranging from 3,000 and 10,000.
``It is high time we had a regional military force…we should not depend solely on UN forces,`` he said.
``It sounds awkward for a strong regional bloc like SADC to rely on UN and Western forces whenever we face crises,`` he added.
The report on the proposed regional task force was due to be tabled at the meeting for deliberation and subsequent endorsement.
The defence chiefs will also discuss operating modalities of the proposed force.
The gathering was also expected to discuss the establishment of a regional peace-keeping training centre (RPTC).
The meeting, chaired by CDF Waitara, attracted chiefs of defence forces from other 13 member states Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Angola, South Africa, Lesotho and Zambia.
|
