Expected to do more operations in its democratic incarnation with less money than before, the cracks are beginning to show in the South African National Defence Force. It’s time to face up to the poverty taking root in the armed forces, argues JOHN STUPART.
African conflicts should not be viewed in the same lens as Iraq and Afghanistan. Sensible advice lost in a flood of COIN planning, argues John Stupart.
Welcome to 2014! While you were away at the beach/alpine cabin/in-laws’ house there were a few important events unfolding in some of the conflicts in Africa. Here is a brief recap of what happened while the world was on holiday.
M23’s defeat following concerted FARDC and FIB attacks was a breath of fresh strategic air. The willingness by M23, or at least its political wing, to negotiate terms of disarmament and demobilisation is an equally promising start. However, Kabila’s team at Kampala is refusing to concede a semantic problem of what to call the settlement agreement. This stubbornness can cost them dearly if they are not flexible on what to call M23’s return from the bush.
A freshly-painted white Rooivalk, believed to be the third and final example to receive a white paint scheme for UN operations in the DRC, was spotted leaving Denel’s grounds earlier today.