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Walter Nyamukondiwa in KARIBA
Sadc Special Forces have successfully completed a training exercise code-named Exercise Mahombekombe in Kariba, ahead of African Union Commission field training exercises in South Africa next month. The Special Forces will now embark on similar integrated exercises with four other regional standby forces.
These are expected to form the core of the African Union Standby Force, which is expected to be operational by the end of the year.
Addressing a demobilisation parade for the SADC Special Forces at Charara exercise camp in Kariba, Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, said the exercise code-named Amani Africa 11 would operationalise the continent’s standby force.
“The African Union Commission will in the months of October to November 2015 conduct a Field Training Exercise in South Africa code-named Amani Africa 11 in which all five regional standby forces are expected to participate,” said Min Sekeramayi.
“The main objective of the exercise is to develop the African Standby Force and ensure that it reaches its full operational capability by the end of the year.”
The African Union Standby Force Policy framework calls for the creation of a standby force with Rapid Deployment Capability to intervene in a crisis within 14 days.
Min Sekeramayi said the development ensured that the Sadc region and Africa were able to internally solve their own problems without looking for external assistance.
“I am heartened to note that this joint training exercise is essential in realising our leaders’ esteemed vision of “African solutions to African problems”.
“Indeed, such exercises enable the region to deal with crisis situations without seeking external assistance,” he said.
He said a peaceful environment was necessary for economic growth and prosperity.
A highly trained SADC Special Force, he said, guaranteed the combat readiness required for a rapid intervention force.
He said the region needed to develop capabilities to counter the threat of terrorism.
“Terrorism has become a current dominant threat as witnesses in some parts of Africa.
“Sadc should always be prepared to combat this menace in the event that it visits us and this force should be well trained to secure this part of Africa.
Exercise Mahombekombe brought together nine regional countries and centred on reconnaissance, anti-hijacking, snipping, mobility, airborne, water-borne and land operations capabilities.
Zimbabwe Defence Forces Command General Constantine Chiwenga, said the exercise went well as it managed to achieve its intended purpose.
Sadc Special exercise Mahombekombe follows others in South Africa, Zambia, Lesotho and Angola from 2010.
It started on August 10 and ended on Friday and brought together 718 participants from Angola, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and hosts Zimbabwe.
The demobilisation parade was attended by Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo, service chiefs including Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri, Army Commander Lieutenant General Philip Valario Sibanda and commanders from the participating countries among others.
Online Reporter