SA, Mozambique to discuss aid request

In June this year, the Mozambican Minister of Defence visited South Africa to meet his counterpart, Minister Lekota to discuss the requirements of the National Defence Force of Mozambique.

During the visit, the two countries discussed ways in which South Africa could assist Mozambique to strengthen its national defence force.

The requirements of the Mozambican government included South Africa's Navy assistance with the maritime patrol, strategic communication requirements and the capacitation of the Mozambique Air Force and the strengthening of the intelligence capability.

"The visit by the minister will not only strengthen the National Defence of Mozambique but will further concretise the long-standing relations between the two countries," the department said.

The minister will subsequently proceed to Namibia to attend the eighth three-day RSA/Nambia Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security (JPCDS).

The last JPCDS meeting was held in South Africa in 2007.

This mutually beneficial assembly will seek to discuss and reach common grounds on issues relating to defence, public and state security.

Earlier this year, South Africa solidified relations with Mozambique during discussions between President Thabo Mbeki and his counterpart Armando Guebuza in Maputo.

At that time, the two presidents discussed, among others, the status of relations between the two countries, regional developments and matters of international interest.

Mozambique remains South Africa's second largest export market in Southern Africa. Total exports by South Africa to Mozambique amounted to over R6,2 billion in 2006.

Imports from Mozambique were valued at close to R318,590 million for the same year.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday Defence Deputy Minister Mluleki George will be leading a South African delegation to visit the South African National Defence Force contingent currently deployed on United Nations African Mission in Darfur in the Sudan.

The South African government has deployed close to 600 military personnel and 32 observers to help bring to halt instability in the region of Durfur.

According to the Department of Defence, the deputy minister's three-day visit seeks to afford the troops necessary support, raise their morale and obtain in-loco experience of the deployees and the operational area.

In 2003, South Africa and Sudan signed a General Co-operation Agreement, which provided the platform for the bilateral relations and the reconstruction and development of Sudan.

Three years later, an agreement regarding the modalities for the establishment of a Joint Bilateral Commission (JBC) was signed. This paved the way for the establishment of the JBC between the two countries.

Subsequently, South Africa appointed and stationed a Defence Attach, in Sudan, which was shortly followed by the two countries signing a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Co-operation in 2007.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews