Southern Africa: Region Plans for Standby Force

Southern Africa: SADC Ministers to Get Cracking On Regional Peacekeeping Force Posted to the web 18 July 2008 Wilson Johwa Johannesburg LITTLE has been heard of the Southern African Development Community (SADC ) standby force since its launch last year. The brigade will however be the subject of discussion this weekend when SADC ministers meet to plan for its activation in preparation for deployment on peacekeeping missions. The meeting in Durban will be chaired by Angola, the present head of the SADC organ on politics, defence and security, which is responsible for the unit. The organ's recommendations will be made to the SADC summit scheduled for next month when President Thabo Mbeki is expected to take over the chairmanship of the 14-member regional body from Angolan head of state Jose Eduardo Dos Santos. At its launch... [read full story]