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Timo Shihepo

Windhoek – The regional logistics repository for the SADC Reserve Force should finally be established after the Member States pledged a combined contribution of US $ 10 million for the construction of the logistics depot in Botswana.

The regional logistics depot will ensure the storage, receipt, inspection and maintenance of equipment of all components of the standby force of SADC.

The SADC Reserve Force supports regional peace operations within the strategic framework for the African Reserve Force. The Brigade, created in August 2008, is composed of military members, police and civilians from SADC member states. The standby force has the mandate to react quickly to restore calm in the event of conflict in the region.

Although it was launched in August 2018, the SADC reserve force did not have a fixed deposit to store its equipment. In order to improve this situation, Botswana has donated land in the village of Rasesa, on the outskirts of Gaborone.

SADC plans to build a regional logistics depot, but progress has been hampered as China has not informed the regional bloc of its intention to disburse funds after CDIC has requested badistance.

Construction of the regional logistics depot is expected to begin in 2017.

The lack of funds, however, delayed the start date of the courses.

Therefore, The Southern Times is reliably informed that the SADC Secretariat has written to the Chinese government to help finance the project.

During a meeting in September 2018, SADC Executive Secretary Stergomena Tax presented a proposal for the construction of the SADC Regional Logistics Depot to the Director General of the Bureau of Business Affairs. West Asia and Africa, Bureau of International Military Cooperation, Chen Liye.

Liye expressed China's commitment to support SADC in this area, according to a statement on peace and security. He said that China's badistance in support of peace and security in Africa would allow for support.

China has not yet responded to this request.

However, last week, Botswana Defense, Justice and Security Minister Shaw Kgathi confirmed that the member states pledged US $ 10 million for the construction of the depot.

Kgathi said that while he was visiting the site of the facility with the director of the defense and security affairs agency of the SADC secretariat, Jorge Cardoso.

Cardoso informed the minister that the first phase of development of the repository, namely erecting the fence and clearing the brush, was complete. The first phase cost 7 million rand, The Southern Times has learned.

Cardoso added that phase two of the development had started and was at the tender stage. The actual construction is expected to begin in May 2020. It is expected that Initial Operational Capability (IOC) will be achieved by 2021 and that full operational capability is expected by 2023.

"I congratulated the SADC Secretariat for the remarkable progress made in the development of the facility. I reiterate the commitment of the Government of Botswana to support the completion of the project. I thank Chief Letshwenyo Rasesa and his subjects for allocating land for the project of such magnitude, "Kgathi said.