Cycle RECAMP V
Exercice Sawa 2006
Articles de Presse
Le document original peut être consulté sur le site de DailyNews.
Ramsamy hails military exercise
16 June, 2005
MAUN - SADC executive secretary Prega Ramsamy, says the peacekeeping exercise that SADC countries conduct demonstrates the regional bodys commitment to play a positive role in the establishment and maintenance of a peaceful, stable and secure African continent.
Giving a keynote address at the official launch of Exercise Thokgamo in Maun, Dr Ramsamy said the exercise also paves the way for the regions involvement in peacekeeping operations beyond its borders under the UN and the AU.
Ramsamy said the exercise has a number of deliverables at the strategic, operational and technical levels ranging from regional co-operation and political goodwill in peacekeeping to decision making process, humanitarian relief operations, casualty evacuation, information gathering, hostage rescue and stress management.
He said Exercise Thokgamo would ensure that the future generations enjoy the dividends of peace, security and tranquility.
Lt. General Matshwenyego Fisher, the commander of the BDF, said collective security endeavours among countries have become more paramount than ever before.
Fisher said Africa has seen changes since the former Organisation of the African Unity (OAU) was transformed into the AU.
During the OAU era, the issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity was paramount but the present-day world feels that nations should not sit idle while genocide is taking place elsewhere.
He said the AU has decided to form regional brigades in north, east, southern Africa and central Africa to be used in collective security efforts by the international community and the AU.
Exercise Thokgamo is taking place in Maun, Boro, Sehithwa, Gumare, Shakawe, and Kasane. All the 13 SADC countries are participating in the 15-day exercise that ends on June 25.
Exercise Thokgamo is a French sponsored, brigade-sized, multi-national peacekeeping mock exercise hosted by the BDF in the North West District. A military brigade comprises about 1 000 soldiers. The mock operation seeks to develop peacekeeping capabilities in Africa. BOPA
