Online Reporter
Columbus Mabika
Herald Reporter
THE Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region must invest in defence human resource training to ensure its troops can effectively address security challenges, Air Vice Marshal Selebale Masera of the Air Force of Zimbabwe has said.
Speaking at the Sadc Inter-State Defence and Security Committee Human Resources Working Group (HRWG) annual meeting in Harare yesterday, Air Vice Marshal Masera said well-trained personnel were important in peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions.
The HRWG is vital for ensuring that the Sadc standby force is adequately staffed and prepared for its assignments.
Zimbabwe chairs this working group.
Air Vice Marshal Masera highlighted that the meeting was crucial for member states to develop practical resolutions to the common challenges faced in managing human resources.
“This is a clear indication of the warm and cordial relationships that exist among Sadc defence forces. The human resources working group meeting is key to providing essential information. Generals, you have a very important task as human resource practitioners to assist in the defence and security needs, as the human resource is the most important and precious element of all resources,” he said.
“As a region, we need to continuously sharpen this key resource through training and development as it is a fundamental pillar on which the Sadc core values and capacities are anchored.
“It is also very important to always have a well-trained and disciplined human resource. There will always be staffing needs for peace support operations in the region and it is fundamental to deploy personnel according to qualification and capability.”
Air Vice Marshal Masera expressed gratitude that Sadc member States recognise human resources as a critical factor in the success of military operations in the 21st century.
The HRWG, established in 1996, oversees defence and security matters in the region and consists of 10 working groups focusing on various operational aspects of the defence services.
