Mon séjour en Afrique du Sud (Cape Town)

SOUTH Africa’s elite soldiers, the Special Forces, are close to completing the training of dozens of their Central African Republic (CAR) counterparts.

The training, which is part of Operation Vimbezela, is aimed at building up the former French colony’s military capabilities.

The country’s army is embroiled in continuous clashes with dozens of heavily armed rebel groups throughout the CAR, which have claimed the lives of thousands and forced tens of thousands from their homes.

The training, which is due to end in 2011 shortly after that country’s elections next year, has seen more than 30 CAR troops trained in elite fighting skills.

Sixty-two South African soldiers have been conducting a variety of training with the CAR military since 2007, including the Special Forces high-risk protection training programme.

Last week, South African Special Forces based in the capital Bangui, along with their trainees, demonstrated their skills to CAR president Francois Bozize.

An SANDF Special Forces captain, who cannot be identified for security reasons, said the skills would allow the CAR troops to work in operations both inside and outside of the CAR.

“The troops have been taught about hand weapons handling as well as team skills, ranging from operating as a team leader, driver and personal protector,” he said.

“Other training which they underwent includes operational procedures such as ambushes and counter-ambushes, escorting and reconnaissance, threat assessment and command and control of the ‘principal’,” he said.

The principal is the person high-risk protectors are assigned to protect.

The captain said when they first arrived the skills of the CAR trainees were very poor, “but that changed rapidly within the first four weeks of training.

“In the first week we discovered that less than 10 percent of the soldiers selected for the training new how to disassemble a weapon, load or even fire it,” he stated.

“But, by the seventh week this had increased to nearly 80 percent,” he said.

He added that stringent weekly assessments had helped to increase the trainees’ skills levels.

He said what was vital now was that the skills taught were maintained especially after they had left.

“If they are to do their jobs, then they are going to have to maintain this level of expertise – otherwise it will be back to square one.”

General Mobebou Francois, the CAR’s military chief of staff, said they were extremely pleased with the training, which would go a long way in improving his country’s military.

He said while there was still a long way for his military to go, the most important steps had been taken.

“Our only hope now is that this and other training will continue and that co-operation between our two countries will continue.”

Vimbemzela mission commander Colonel George Sibanyoni said the operation would go a long way in improving the country’s military.

He said the mission was one where they would support and sustain the CAR military through military assistance programmes.

“While the mission is due to end next year, it can be extended – although there are a number of dynamics to the extension,” he said, referring to the numerous rebel groups waging war against the CAR’s military.