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Talent Chimutambgi Herald Reporter
Southern African Development Community Regional Peacekeeping Training Centre is committed to providing training for peace support missions in the region and ensure a peaceful environment exist in the Southern Region of Africa and beyond through regional integration of forces, Angolan Armed Forces (AAF) senior official has said.

Chairperson of the SADC DIWG Troika, General Marques Correia, made the remarks in Harare yesterday at the graduation of 19 peacekeeping participants who have undergone a Defence Inspectorate Working Group (DIWG) Troika train-the-trainer course.

He said Regional Peacekeeping Training Centre would continue churning out members with expertise to ensure peace and stability is guaranteed in the southern region of Africa.

General Marques said the course played a critical role to instructors who were expected to impart knowledge they gained during the training to the security personnel in their respective countries.

“We will remain resolute in discharging this mandate to ensure that we produce high calibre officers and men who will not only be a marvel to SADC, but to Africa and the world,” he said. “They will ensure that a peaceful and stable environment is guaranteed in Africa.

“The course was designed for development of training of instructors. Training and development are a tool for the functioning of all SADC body, therefore, it is a SADC priority for the regular training of its officers in order to carry out its duties.”

Gen Correia said most SADC countries were facing a myriad of challenges, among them were natural disasters.
“Most SADC countries are facing many challenges,” he said. “As you know, the welcoming countries of Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique were recently hit by a devastating Cyclone Idai. We hope there will be rapid response in efforts to recover from damage of this natural disaster.

“In general, there were few rains in the sub-region during the current year and food production was affected.”
Speaking at the same occasion, Commandant of Regional Peacekeeping Training Centre, Brigadier-General Mfanawenkosi Valentine Khumalo said they have achieved the main objective of the course, adding that the training was also a platform for interaction of the members of various forces.

“I am glad to say that all the objectives of the training have been achieved and prepared instructors to conduct same courses in their respective countries,” said Brig-Gen Khumalo.

The course had one female participant who came from South African Defence Forces.
SADC DIWG, which was formed in 2002, is composed of 16 States and it calls for serious decision–making, coordination, planning and organisation.