15 Dec 2024

Construction of the Southern African Development Cooperation (SADC) Standby Force Regional Logistics Depot is a demonstration of enduring commitment not just to respond to alarm cries, but to step in decisively to end conflicts that result in humanitarian catastrophes. 

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony to mark commencement of the depot construction in Rasesa on Friday, President Advocate Duma Boko said the project signified the region’s collective response to peacekeeping efforts.

"We are here to begin construction of a depot where equipment will be kept and maintained so that we are always ready to move in as and when required," he said.

The depot would 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.

President Duma Boko also noted that SADC’s response to step up to rescue its citizens was well in order as some faced strives and belligerent hostilities.

He said SADC would continue to seek resources to carry out mission of rescue and ensure safety and security of citizens, and restore peace and order to places where conflicts erupted. 

“We have taken it upon ourselves to respond to the troubled spots to deploy forces to assist and bring an end to the conflicts in their countries,” he said.

SADC chairperson and President of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa commended Botswana government for donating a 19-hectare land for the construction of the SADC Standby Force depot.

He appreciated Botswana for dedication to regional peace, integration and development. 

President Mnangagwa said the standby force depot would serve ensure tactical capability to swiftly respond to threats to peace and security situations in the region in line with the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. 

“We must be aware that the groundbreaking ceremony was the first step as substantial work lies ahead of us,” he said.

To this end, he said US$15 million had been mobilised for the initial stage of the project and urged member states to support the development.

He said the regional bloc successfully completed its mission in Mozambique in July and that during the extra ordinary summit, a mandate was further extended to the Democratic Republic of Congo from to December 2025.

For her part, Kgatleng West MP, Dr Unity Dow appreciated the development adding that the infrastructure spill off would benefit Rasesa inhabitants. 

“We are very lucky that this facility could have been anywhere in Botswana, but when the decision was made, Rasesa was chosen,” she said, noting that the facility would be home to SADC’s 16 member states.

SADC Executive Secretary, Mr Elias Magosi said the development would change the landscape of the village and its surroundings.

Therefore, he said he expected members of the community and Botswana government to support the project. 

“We are looking forward to working with the council to approve the designs and help in other facilitation work during construction,” he said, adding that the facility would be constructed in two phases.

The construction of the SADC Standby Force Regional Logistics Depot has been on cards for some time since 2012.

The facility is estimated to cost US$45 million or over P612 million and would be built in two phases, with phase one expected to last for two years commencing this year to November 2026.

Phase 2 would commences in 2026 to 2030. The buildings would provide logistical support including training activities of the ground forces among others. ENDS