SOUTH AFRICA: "No funds for training Congolese troops"

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 29 Nov 2004 (IRIN) - Lack of funds could hamper a joint South African and Belgian agreement to train troops for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) before it goes to the polls next year, according to a senior security analyst.

"The two countries' intention to train six brigades [of about 3,000 soldiers each] will cost at least US $8 to $29 million [but] there are no funds available at the moment," Henry Boschoff, a senior security analyst with the South Africa-based Institute for Security Studies told IRIN.

Besides the funding problem, Boschoff said, the plan was not "practical" before the elections. The DRC is currently in the process of demobilising and reintegrating 300,000 fighters (regular soldiers and rebels). "It is not realistic to train so many soldiers while the reintegration programme is still underway," he said.

According to news reports, DRC's defence minister, Jean-Pierre Ondekane, wants to set up a minimum 32-brigade army comprising about 100,000 troops by next June, when the elections are expected to be held, but South Africa's President Mbeki has reportedly described the objective as "a little bit too ambitious".

"Mbeki's view is more realistic. The countries are now aiming to train three [integrated] brigades before the elections," Boschoff said.

South African and Belgium signed a memorandum of understanding earlier this month to work together on restructuring and training the Congolese army.

[ENDS]