SOUTHERN AFRICA GETS PEACE FORCE !
The brigade is intended to serve in peace-building efforts. Southern African leaders have inaugurated a military standby force to help with peace and security.
It is the first of a number of regional forces on the continent which will act in support of the African Union.
The launch took place at a ceremony in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, the venue for the leaders' summit which is discussing the crisis in Zimbabwe.
South Africa's leader is expected to report on efforts to mediate between Zimbabwe's government and opposition.
President Thabo Mbeki has been trying to facilitate talks between the ruling Zanu-PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.
Another report is also to be presented in a closed session on how to turn round Zimbabwe's ailing economy and prevent it affecting the rest of the region.
It is not known whether the reports will be made public after the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) summit's closing session.
'Victory'
The BBC's Peter Biles in Lusaka says the leaders of all 14 southern African countries watched as members of the newly formed brigade put on their first public display.
The idea of a permanent African standby force made up of regional components was first mooted more than three years ago.
The Southern Africa Brigade has undergone training and is now ready to be deployed.
"This is a victory to the region. We are the first to officially do this. Sadc is ready to be committed in any peace mission," a brigadier general from Namibia said.
Officiating at the ceremony, Zambia's President Levy Mwanawasa said the brigade would serve in peace-building efforts including post-conflict disarmament and demobilisation.
It would also provide humanitarian assistance in conflict areas or as a result of natural disasters.
The launch came as East African military chiefs met in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, to finalise plans to set up a similar force in their region
'Zimbabwe democratic'
After the ceremony, the leaders were to be briefed behind closed doors by South Africa's President Mbeki.
Zimbabwe's justice minister told the summit on Thursday that no political reforms were needed in Zimbabwe.
"Political reform is not necessary in my country because we are a democracy like any other democracy in the world," Patrick Chinamasa said, Reuters news agency reports.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe received the loudest applause of all delegates at the meeting as he sat down next to his South African counterpart, Mr Mbeki.
Earlier, Mr Mwanawasa called on the people of Zimbabwe to maintain peace at all costs.
Correspondents say Mr Mugabe used to be able to rely on the full support of his fellow leaders in southern Africa.
But the fall-out from Zimbabwe's political and economic crisis is now having a huge impact on the entire region, with increasing numbers of economic migrants fleeing Zimbabwe and settling in neighbouring countries.
It is the first of a number of regional forces on the continent which will act in support of the African Union.
The launch took place at a ceremony in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, the venue for the leaders' summit which is discussing the crisis in Zimbabwe.
South Africa's leader is expected to report on efforts to mediate between Zimbabwe's government and opposition.
President Thabo Mbeki has been trying to facilitate talks between the ruling Zanu-PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.
Another report is also to be presented in a closed session on how to turn round Zimbabwe's ailing economy and prevent it affecting the rest of the region.
It is not known whether the reports will be made public after the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) summit's closing session.
'Victory'
The BBC's Peter Biles in Lusaka says the leaders of all 14 southern African countries watched as members of the newly formed brigade put on their first public display.
The idea of a permanent African standby force made up of regional components was first mooted more than three years ago.
The Southern Africa Brigade has undergone training and is now ready to be deployed.
"This is a victory to the region. We are the first to officially do this. Sadc is ready to be committed in any peace mission," a brigadier general from Namibia said.
Officiating at the ceremony, Zambia's President Levy Mwanawasa said the brigade would serve in peace-building efforts including post-conflict disarmament and demobilisation.
It would also provide humanitarian assistance in conflict areas or as a result of natural disasters.
The launch came as East African military chiefs met in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, to finalise plans to set up a similar force in their region
'Zimbabwe democratic'
After the ceremony, the leaders were to be briefed behind closed doors by South Africa's President Mbeki.
Zimbabwe's justice minister told the summit on Thursday that no political reforms were needed in Zimbabwe.
"Political reform is not necessary in my country because we are a democracy like any other democracy in the world," Patrick Chinamasa said, Reuters news agency reports.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe received the loudest applause of all delegates at the meeting as he sat down next to his South African counterpart, Mr Mbeki.
Earlier, Mr Mwanawasa called on the people of Zimbabwe to maintain peace at all costs.
Correspondents say Mr Mugabe used to be able to rely on the full support of his fellow leaders in southern Africa.
But the fall-out from Zimbabwe's political and economic crisis is now having a huge impact on the entire region, with increasing numbers of economic migrants fleeing Zimbabwe and settling in neighbouring countries.
BBC NEWS REPORT.
posted by jackaranda at 11:48 pm
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