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A
resolution on the formation of an organisational brigade was drafted and
adopted as an official document, during Lesotho's chairmanship of the SADC
Organ on Politics, Defence and Security,
In his end of the year message
to the army, the Commander of Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), Lieutenant
General Thuso Motanyane, pointed to this as part of several achievements in
the LDF's development, including the maintenance of security as well as its
participation in community development programmes.
The SADC brigade, responsible for regional safety and security, will be
trained in Botswana beginning in June next year, he announced.
Another achievement this year has been the election of Lesotho to the peace
and security committee of the African Union (AU). The LDF has sent Colonel
Maaparankoe Mahao to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as its representative in this
committee. The LDF and Zimbabwe air wings has participated in a joint
training programme and another with the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) on
mountain driving.
The LDF has been involved in various community works such as construction of
clinics, schools and foot bridges in the different districts of the country.
It has also been involved in soil conservation activities while its Airwing
has also offered assistance to various government ministries in transporting
equipment to the mountainous districts, Lt. General Motanyane said.
The Commander appealed to the army to maintain professionalism so as to
ensure credibility among the community. He strongly warned against engaging
in crime and emphasized that the army's main responsibility is to stop
crime, not commit it.
23 December 2004 |