adminWalter Nyamukondiwa in KARIBA
Senior army officers from nine Sadc countries signed a Status of Force Agreement on Tuesday that will give legal effect to a regional special forces training exercise in Kariba.
The training exercise code-named Exercise Mahombekombe is scheduled to run from August 24 to September 26, bringing together forces from 10 Sadc countries who form the core of the region’s Special Forces and ultimately a Standby Force.
As a final step towards the preparations for the exercise, a Status of Force Agreement which is a legal framework binding all participating countries was signed.
Commanders or their representatives from South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe appended their signatures to the document.
At least two-thirds of the participating countries managed to append their signatures, making the resolutions and positions binding to all members of the regional block.
In his closing remarks after the signing ceremony, Chief of Staff Administration Major-General Trust Mugoba said final positions by member countries were confirmed on what they will contribute towards the field training exercises.
To this end, a number of plans were made during the final planning conference covering administration and logistics, exercise manning, medical, signals, media, air support and training, among others, he said.
Maj-Gen Mugoba urged participants to take seriously a presentation made on animal behaviour by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, as the training programme will take place in a wildlife-infested area.
The training programme will be preceded by a training of trainers programme.
Online Reporter