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> Splash of 253 million rand in military missions

> R11.3 million spent on defense book

By Timo Shihepo

Windhoek – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) continues to spend billions of dollars on military activities at a time when the economies of member countries are struggling to develop.

In addition to large sums of money in the national budgets of SADC countries, the region is devoting more and more money to military activities, which will amount to 253 million rand in 2017/18.

It is an area obsessed with spending on military-related activities, despite being one of the most peaceful regions in Africa.

Most of the 253 million Rand should be swallowed up by exercises in Lesotho as the kingdom continues to struggle to restore peace and stability in the country.

Of this amount, R133 million was for the Lesotho Mission. More than 300 staff members, including soldiers, policemen and civilians, were part of this nationwide mission in December 2017 to stabilize things after the assassination of the Lesotho Defense Forces commander, the Lieutenant General Khoantlhe Motšomotšo, in September 2017.

Another R107 million was also used for the SADC Organ mission in Lesotho.

Likewise, this mission is intended to restore peace and order in the Kingdom.

At a meeting held in Pretoria, South Africa, the SADC also approved the sum of 11.4 million rand for carrying out the exercise of the command post of the reserve force.

The Southern Times understands that this exercise took place in Malawi last month. About 500 members of the armed forces, police and civilians participated in the meeting, as announced by the Member States on the reserve list.

Its overall objective is to put into practice and exercise the multidimensional headquarters of the SADC Standby Force in the planning and conduct of peace support operations for the establishment of the African Reserve Force from January to June 2019.

It also aims to create a strong and credible SADC reserve force, able to withstand the test of time, available and ready to face any compelling situation, anywhere in Africa.

In addition, the SADC secretariat has spent 11.3 million rand for the publication of a book entitled "Hashim Mbita". Of this amount, 1.1 million were used for the publication of the book, while 9.2 million Rands are used for the translation of "Hashim Mbita" SADC working languages ​​(English, French and Portuguese.)

The publication, consisting of 10 volumes, describes the history of liberation struggles in southern Africa aimed at ending colonial rule and apartheid in the region.

The publication features events and stories about Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In addition to these countries, the research covers contributions from countries and organizations outside the SADC region that have played a key role in assisting liberation movements in Southern Africa.

Obsessed with military spending

The information shows that five of the largest members of SADC have a combined defense budget of 67 billion rubles for the 2018/19 financial year.

South Africa has the largest share of R47.9 billion, followed by Namibia with a budget of R6 billion.

Zimbabwe is in third place with a budget of 5.8 billion rand, while Zambia has allocated 4 billion rand to its Ministry of Defense. Botswana has also earmarked R 3.6 billion for this year.

The Botswana government is also seeking funds for the purchase of 23.8 billion rand jet fighters.

Similarly, other SADC countries have also purchased military equipment.

In her budget speech, Namibia's Finance Minister Calle Schlettwein defended the issue of spending on military activities. Schlettwein said that building reliable safety networks allows for secure growth not only in the country but also in the region.

Despite billions of dollars spent on military activities aimed at preserving peace in the region, the SADC region has faced major challenges that have resulted in loss of life. Political instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Kingdom of Lesotho, Madagascar, and the resurgence of electoral violence in Zimbabwe are just some of the topics of discussion in recent years.

The Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, said that despite some challenges, "the region has remained relatively peaceful over the past year".

The SADC secretariat said it will continue to coordinate mediation support in the DRC, Lesotho and Madagascar as part of efforts to strengthen conflict prevention in the region.

Nico Horn, Namibian Professor of Human Rights and Constitutional Law, said it was sad to see that the region continues to spend a lot of money on military activities while in dire need of human rights have always been deprived.

"Who is the enemy? Who will attack who? SADC is a relatively peaceful region and yet we continue to spend a lot on military activities.

Think of the type of development that R67 billion can do for our region if we use it for other development activities, "he said.

Horn said the war had ended long ago but that the region still had the Cold War mentality.

He added that opposition parties within CDIC are not vocal either when defense budgets are presented.

"They do not strongly oppose this type of thing in parliament. What we need is a "Green Peace" organization that has a strong influence on government decisions and advocates gun control. In Namibia and SADC, we do not have much influence.

I can talk about it now but who will listen to Nico (Horn) to change the government's decisions, "said Horn, appointed by the Namibian government to the UN Human Rights Committee.