The Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, President of the Republic of Botswana, on 13 December 2024 presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the SADC Standby Force Regional Logistics Depot in Rasesa, Kgatleng District of Botswana on behalf of all SADC Heads of State and Government.
The two leaders hailed the commencement of the construction of the Regional Logistics Depot as a step forward in strengthening the capability of the SADC Standby Force for rapid deployment of SADC mandated peace support and humanitarian operations.
H.E. Dr. Mnangagwa highlighted that groundbreaking ceremony for the SADC Standby Force Regional Logistics Depot marks a significant stride towards promoting and consolidating peace, stability, and security in the SADC region in line with the provisions of the SADC Protocol of Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, the SADC Mutual Defence Pact and other regional, continental and international instruments on peace and security.
The SADC Chairperson underscored the importance of the SADC Standby Force Regional Logistics Depot in the context of the complex and multifaceted threats to peace and security that the SADC region has witnessed in the last four years. He highlighted the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) and the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) as examples of SADC’s collective regional responses to peace and security.
The SADC Chairperson expressed gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Botswana for the donation of the 19-hactare piece of land for the construction of the Regional Logistics Depot and said the donation reflects Botswana’s unparalleled commitment and dedication to regional peace, integration and development.
On his part, President Duma Boko emphasised the strategic importance of the Regional Logistics Depot in ensuring the operational readiness of the SADC peace keeping missions.
The SADC Executive Secretary His Excellency Mr. Elias Mpedi Magosi highlighted that the SADC Standby Force Regional Logistics Depot is expected to reach its full operational capability by 2030 and will serve as storage for materials, equipment and end-user stocks for use by the SADC Standby Force when undertaking mandated peace support and humanitarian missions.
H.E. Magosi added that, once completed, the Depot will provide a central platform for logistics support to the Standby Force and thus eliminate delays in logistical support to enhance the ability of the SADC Standby Force to effectively and successfully conduct peace support missions.
In their remarks, the District Commissioner of Kgatleng District, Mrs. Kolobetso Sejakgomo, Bakgatla Deputy Chief - Kgosi Sekai and Member of Parliament for Kgatleng West, Honourable Dr. Unity Dow welcomed the construction of the Regional Logistics Depot in their area and pledged their full support and cooperation towards the successful completion of the project.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by a cross section of people who joined the SADC Chairperson, H.E. Dr. Mnangagwa and President of Botswana, Advocate Duma Boko, including Honourable Professor Amon Murwira, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers, Honourable Dr Phenyo Butale, Minister of International Relations of the Republic of Botswana, Commander of the Botswana Defence Force, Lieutenant General Placid Segokgo, SADC Ambassadors and High Commissioners, officials from the Kgatleng District Council, Chiefs, Ward Councillors and Officials from the Government of Botswana and Zimbabwe.
