BOTSWANA WILL HOST EXERCISE THOKGAMO: TOWARD THE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GABORONE 000751

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR AF/S

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR KPKO BC POL MIL SADC
SUBJECT: BOTSWANA WILL HOST EXERCISE THOKGAMO: TOWARD THE
CREATION OF THE AU SOUTHERN AFRICAN BRIGADE


1. Summary: Lt. General Matshengeyo Fisher, Commander of
Botswana's Defense Force, on May 27 briefed the Ambassador,
DATT and Pol/Econ Chief on the French-supported RECAMP
exercises to be held June 10-25 in northern Botswana.
Thirteen countries of the southern African region are
expected to contribute 2,842 participants. The objective is
to achieve interoperability for the southern African brigade
that, within the African Union framework, will eventually be
deployed for peacekeeping operations. Fisher's PowerPoint
presentation dwelled on the costs of the exercise and the
budget shortfalls for it, with a broad hint that USG
financial support would be greatly welcome. End summary.


2. Ambassador Huggins met with Botswana's Defense Force's
(BDF)General Matshengeyo Fisher on May 27 at the latter's
request, at the BDF headquarters in Mogoditshane. Also
present were DAO and PolOff. The meeting was called at
General Fisher's request. He began by describing Exercise
Thokgamo (the word refers to calmness or peace),a brigade-
sized multi-national peacekeeping exercise, and a
continuation of military cooperation between Botswana and
France, specifically under the RECAMP program, which
reinforces African peacekeeping capabilities. Hosted by the
BDF, and to take place from June 10-25, all Southern African
Development Community (SADC) members had been invited.
Fisher expressed pleasure at Angola's confirmation of
participation. Exercise Thokgamo would be held in four
locations adjacent to the Okavango Delta, near Maun. The
objective would be to provide practice in conducting a
multinational PKO under a UN, and AU or SADC mandate for
what would eventually be a SADC brigade within the African
Union ambit. At present, Fisher stated, the SADC brigade is
still in the planning stage, and would go through military
officers' committees before being submitted to SADC's
council of ministers and then the SADC summit.


3. General Fisher's PowerPoint presentation showed that all
13 SADC countries would send battalions (numbering 1,721
troops) and companies. The 14th Infantry Brigade would be
divided into the 141st Battalion headed by Botswana, and
would consist of 461 troops, with A Company (160) from
Botswana; B Company from Malawi (142) and C Company (159)
from Lesotho. The 142nd Battalion, headed by Zimbabwe,
would consist of 510 troops, and would be formed by A
Company (Zimbabwe, 200); B Company (Botswana 160) and C
Company (Mozambique 150). The 143rd Battalion, headed by
Zambia, at 760 strong, would consist of A Company (Zambia,
180); B Company (Botswana 160); C Company (Swaziland, 170);
D Company (Angola, 100); E Company (Namibia, 150). (Note:
All unit designations are fictitious and were created for
the purpose of this particular Peacekeeping exercise).


4. Specialized elements participating will include:
Paratroopers Company (150 from RSA); Signals Company
(Botswana, 94); Engineers Company (Botswana 95);
Belligerents-rebel forces (Botswana, 300); Special Forces
(Botswana, 20); Ex Support Troops (300). RSA would
contribute 150 paratroopers; there would be 4 specialized
companies totaling 400 troops, the air component would
number 120, the French participants would be 93; the
exercise support troops would total 300, and the joint
military headquarters would number 58. An unspecified
number of Military Police, Medical Support, Geospatial
specialists (Botswana and RSA) and Logistically Support
elements (RSA) would also be deployed. A total of 2,842
persons would be engaged in the exercise. General Fisher
stated that Mozambique had committed to send a peacekeeping
force to Burundi following the exercise.


5. The rest of the presentation was devoted to tallying the
costs, especially those for transportation/fuel by road and
by air, and feeding costs. The entire exercise was
calculated to amount over USD BWP 4,124,500.00 (approx. USD
756,500). General Fisher stated that his budget had
decreased over the past years. While France and RSA can
manage cost-sharing, other nations might be able to
contribute partially, but insufficient to cover the
financial outlay. Fisher stated he had appealed to
ambassadors from EU countries as well as to SADC, but he
left the door open for the USG to contribute, and reiterated
that the exercise was a necessary first step prior to actual
PKO by the units. Interoperability was the key word.


6. Our response was noncommittal, given the proven USG
record of military assistance to the BDF. Ambassador
Huggins asked whether there would be standardization of
equipment once the SADC brigade would be formed. Fisher
responded that it would be difficult to say. DAO observed
that memorandums of understanding provide a mechanism for
regional militaries to agree to standardize. When discussion
turned to Botswana's current status in contributing to PKO
on the continent, General Fisher pointed out that Botswana
has only one C-130 in functioning order. He was
dissatisfied with the repairs done on the other by RSA
company Denel.


7. Ambassador Huggins noted that in a discussion with
FonMin Merafhe, Botswana's contribution to UN PKO in Darfur
was described as being 2 police officers and 1 Lt.-Col.
General Fisher stated that a further 10 experts had been
requested and the GOB had approved this. Fisher added since
the initial request the AU has requested three more officer,
one brigadier and two lieutenant colonels. The request for
the additional three officers was likely to be approved.


8. Comment: Given the meager contribution of GOB thus far
to PKO in Darfur, proportionate to the USG military
assistance extended to the BDF, General Fisher's request to
us for further financial aid for Exercise Thokgamo fell
flat, as he himself realized. Although logical to hold a
regional exercise before actual PKO deployment, Botswana's
BDF hosts will have to look elsewhere for immediate support
for their June 10-21 exercise.
HUGGINS