South African president approves troop deployment in DRCongo for one year.
President Thabo Mbeki has officially approved the deployment of South African National Defence Force [SANDF] personnel in the Democratic Republic of Congo, at a cost of about 819.6m rand.
The SANDF contingent will fulfil South Africa's international obligations in the eastern DRC as part of the disarmament, demobilization, re-integration, repatriation and resettlement programme of the United Nations.
In a memorandum to National Assembly Speaker Dr Frene Ginwala and parliament, he said a total of 1,268 personnel would be deployed for a year, rotating after six months. The deployment would involve an infantry battalion group of 950 soldiers, a support group of 100, an engineer company of 175, a ferry unit of 15, a water well drilling unit of 12, and 16 military police personnel.
The expected cost from January 2003 to the end of the 2005/06 financial year totalled 819.634m rand, he said.
The total estimated reimbursement from the UN for initial non-inventory equipment, personnel allowance, and logistical support would amount to 200m rand.
"The National Treasury advised that the shortfall should be addressed through the normal budgetary process," Mbeki said.
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20 Juin 2003 à 10:32 dans
- zsandf (anglais)
