SA to send team to DRC

The South African government has said that it would send 120 technical military personnel to the Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC) to assist a UN peacekeeping mission.

"South Africa has been requested to prepare for the deployment of these technical elements by 17 June and we are working very hard to honour that deadline," Foreign Affairs Director General Sipho Pityana told news conference on Friday afternoon.

He said the team would be made up of personnel from air traffic control, airfield crash rescue, fire-fighting, air cargo handling, logistics and medical units. He said that the team will be based in the DRC capital, Kinshasa.

Pityana said that Pretoria was also considering a UN request for an army battalion of peacekeepers to be based in Kinshasa. "Although a request has been received, no response can be forwarded to the United Nations until a feasibility study be the South African National Defence Force has been
done," he told journalists.

"We, as South Africa, are keen for an all-inclusive peace process in the Congo. It is clear that South Africa will be expected to play an increasing role in peacekeeping," Pityana said.

At the news conference Pityana also announced the formation of a National Office for the Coordination of Peace Missions (NOCPM) to "promote coordination of peacekeeping operations".