SADC: Regional action against terrorism

An inter-ministerial meeting of the Southern African Development Community has decided to draw up a plan of action to combat terrorism at the regional level.

The SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation met in Luanda on 17 and 18 December, and considered, inter alia, the security situation in Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Angola's Interior Minister Fernando da Piedade "Nando" called for the setting up of a network of observers to classify terrorist organisations and the nature of their acts. The system would allow for "the exchange of information and put in place a terrorist prevention service", he added. The minister also called for the extradition of terrorists within the region.

On Angola, the SADC Ministers "noted with satisfaction that relative peace now prevails as a result of the Government Peace Plan which is a combination of military, economic, political and social efforts". They noted that UNITA "combatants are now scattered and can only resort to isolated acts of banditry".

The Ministers strongly condemned the acts of terrorism by Jonas Savimbi, and unanimously reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its manifestations. The Ministers directed the SADC Inter-State Defence and Security Committee to develop a plan of action to combat terrorism at the regional level.