SA, Ethiopia sign defence pact
19 February 2009
Defence Minister Charles Nqakula signed an agreement on defence cooperation between South African and Ethiopia during a two-day visit to the Horn of Africa country last week.
Through the agreement, both countries will work towards developing and formulating procedures for military cooperation between their armed forces.
Personnel exchanges
The agreement calls for the training of military personnel through the exchange of trainees, instructors and observers, and promoting technical cooperation.
This includes cooperation in the field of military medical services, cooperation in the exchange of knowledge, and training in the field of United Nations and African Union peacekeeping operations.
The two countries have worked together in the area of defence before, when South African and Ethiopian armed forces were deployed for peacekeeping efforts in Burundi in 2004.
Sport and culture
The agreement also encourages the exchange of military personnel at all levels to enhance sport and cultural links between the armed forces of the two countries.
According to the Department of Defence, Ethiopia is one of the major players in the Horn of Africa region, and South Africa views the agreement as strategic in the context of peace, stability and development on the continent.
Source: BuaNews
