THE 2007 SADC Summit held in Lusaka, Zambia will be remembered for the historic launch of the SADC Brigade, a regional multidimensional peace support operations capability established under the framework of the African Standby Force.

The SADC Brigade, launched through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by southern African leaders on 17 August, was established to guarantee peace, security and political stability, which are prerequisites for development. Consisting of military, police and civilian components, the force will rely on resources pledged by member states on a standby arrangement.

Other support mechanisms could be in the form of logistical and medical services. The persistence of conflict in some parts of Africa has hampered socio-economic development and integration efforts. This has prompted the continent to review its security agenda. [read more]

Economic integration, infrastructure development top priorities for SADC

SADC CONTINUES with its programme of involving the youth in regional integration with winners of the 2007 SADC Secondary Schools Essay Competition receiving their prizes during the 27^th Summit in August.

The winners of the regional competition were presented with prize money of US$1500, US$1000 and US$750 for first, second and third prizes respectively.

The top prize was won by Diana Kawendu of Zimbabwe. Diana's winning essay addressed various issues that affect poverty in southern Africa, including HIV and AIDS as well as the colonial legacy. She also discussed the measures being taken by southern African countries to address these challenges. [read more]