Training and Support provided by the South African Army (SANDF) to the Army of the Central African Republic (CAR)

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 78

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 1 OF 10 FEBRUARY 2011

Mr KS Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

Whether the SA Army is providing training and other support to the army of a certain government (name furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
 
REPLY:

1. South Africa’s involvement in the security of the Central African Republic followed President Bozoze’s request to South Africa to assist the Central African Republic’s Defence Force (FACA) to upgrade their military capabilities.  Subsequently on 11 February 2007, South Africa and the CAR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defence Cooperation. The actual deployment of the SANDF was operationalised following a Cabinet decision on 29 August 2007.
   
   
2. SANDF deployment in the CAR is divided into two mainly  OP MORERO – a unit of the SANDF Special Forces  that was deployed in CAR to provide VIP protection to President Bozize and Operation Vimbesela – the SANDF’s mission involved in the refurbishment of the military bases and the training of the military personnel on that country.

Legal implications – In terms of Subsection 201(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act no 108 of 1996), the President as head of the National Executive, must authorise the deployment of the SANDF in fulfilment of an international obligation by means of a President’s minute.  Presidential authorisation was granted by means of President Minute 467 of 2007 dated 27 August 2007.

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