Southern African leaders will launch a peacekeeping brigade in Zambia on Friday as part of a planned African standby force, South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad said on Wednesday.
The South-Africa based peacekeeping brigade, part of an Africa-wide effort to form an operational standby force by 2010, will be expected to rapidly deploy in areas for a limited duration, with a mandate from the United Nations, the African Union or the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Pahad said the force would be launched on Friday at a summit of southern African leaders in Lusaka.
"This is a very important development that will allow us to more effectively deal with conflict resolution within SADC and the African continent as a whole," Pahad told a news conference.
The brigade, formed by the member states of the SADC, will assist in observation and peace missions across the continent.
News
CoE's interfaith bishop welcomes decision to bar Kanye West from Britain
The Bishop of Willesden said that cultural expression must "not amplify fear or legitimise prejudice".
Indian Supreme Court ruling could deprive 'untouchable' Christians of protections
An Indian Supreme Court ruling could deprive Christian converts from among the lowest castes access to affirmative action programmes and other benefits.
Trying to increase attendance is biggest challenge for church leaders
Other concerns including improving discipleship and engaging younger generations.
Christians demand Lebanon be included in ceasefire
The exact terms of the ceasefire are unclear and disputed.