8 May 2008
Luanda — Angolan deputy minister of Defence, Gaspar Santos Rufino, said Wednesday in Luanda that the Stand-by Brigade of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) is "an instrument of great value for the support to peacekeeping missions and other operations."
Speaking at the opening of the meeting of the sub-committee of the chiefs of staff of the SADC member countries' armed forces, taking place in Luanda to analyse various topics of military nature concerning the parties of the regional organ.
"The Stand-by Brigade and all mechanisms of support must remain ready to support the efforts of the community, the African Union and United Nations, with a view to the promotion of security and stability, which are fundamental premises for the integral development of Africa," he stressed.
The Stand-by Brigade is a military contingent that groups staff from the community.
It was officially presented in August last year to the heads of SADC member countries.
The Angola Armed Forces (FAA) and the National Police are part of the body.
According to him, the brigade is one of the goals Africans have been fighting for and in the search for the defence of the welbeing, harmony and peace.
He said on the occasion Africa has recorded much progress in many domains.
Gaspar Rufino considered the 1960's as the so-called decade of glory to Africans, as definitely they said no to oppression, humiliation and plundering of their riches.
The works of the chiefs of staff of the SADC member countries' armed forces are being chaired by FAA chief, gen. Francisco Pereira Furtado, in his capacity as chairman of the respective sub-committee.
The ongoing closed-door event was preceded by an experts session on May 5-7 with an agenda focusing on matters associated with peacekeeping support operations.
The session also reviewed the reports on the progress associated with the establishment of the SADC Brigade (SADBRIG), of the peacekeeping training centre, of the activities of the organ and its budgetary performance.
Also discussed were the support of SADC to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the amendments to the protocol on cooperation in the areas of politics, defence and security, including the ratification of the region's mutual defence pact.
SADC groups Angola, South Africa, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Malawi, Mauritius, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
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