Defence Web (South Africa)
Friday, February 19, 2016 - 06:24
United Nations peacekeeping is “a tool to advance political, not military, solutions to conflict,” Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations.
Wednesday, February 17, 2016 - 06:28
Last year saw an almost total absence of reports of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the western Indian Ocean and off the coast of Somalia. This is the laudable outcome of concerted international and regional counter-piracy efforts Timothy Walker, Institute for Security Studies conflict management and peacebuilding researcher writes.
Thursday, February 11, 2016 - 06:03
The Nigerian Air Force has armed two of the four Alpha Jets it acquired from the United States last year. Nigerian Air Force (NAF) spokesman Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa late last month said the four Alpha Jets bought from the United States could not be deployed on operations because they could not deliver weapons, thus relegating them to training.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 - 06:34
Kenya’s police force has received 30 Norinco VN4 4x4 armoured vehicles from China, which will be used for anti-terror, peacekeeping and police missions by the General Service Unit of Kenya’s National Police Force.
Tuesday, February 9, 2016 - 06:18
South Africa’s stock of high-tech equipment to track down and apprehend poachers has been boosted to the tune of more than R12 million by US President Barack Obama’s national strategy to combat wildlife trafficking.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016 - 06:25
Maritime forces from eastern Africa, western Indian Ocean island nations, Europe and the United States, as well as several international organizations began the fifth iteration of the multinational maritime exercise Cutlass Express on January 30. Cutlass Express 2016, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness (MDA) and information sharing practices to increase capabilities of participating nations to counter sea-based illicit activity.
Monday, February 1, 2016 - 06:48
The U.S. Military Sealift Command’s expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) arrived in Sekondi, Ghana, for a routine port visit on January 30. This serves as the first port for Spearhead in support of Africa Partnership Station (APS); the ship is scheduled to embark members of the host nationals who will work alongside U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment members for maritime security exercises.
Friday, January 29, 2016 - 06:51
The United Nations said on Friday it had allegations that peacekeepers from Georgia, France and another unnamed country sexually abused children while deployed in the Central African Republic. The alleged crimes, including rapes, mostly committed in 2014, only came to light in recent weeks and the national authorities concerned, as well as the European Union, have been informed and are investigating, it said.
Thursday, January 28, 2016 - 05:45
Most of Africa is at medium to high risk of defence sector corruption, with a big problem being a lack of oversight of military expenditure, and corruption on operations, which exacerbates insecurity, according to a new report from Transparency International (TI).
Friday, January 22, 2016 - 06:44
The status of Gabon’s order for two patrol vessels from France is now uncertain as deliveries and firm contracts have not yet materialised. Gabon ordered two patrol vessels from French shipbuilder Piriou at the Euronaval exhibition on 29 October 2014. One of the patrol vessels (an OPV 50) that was to be supplied by Piriou was to be built new and delivered in mid-2016 while the other vessel was to be the second hand French Navy P400 patrol vessel Tapageuse, which was being overhauled and refitted and due for delivery in mid-2015.