The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Standby Brigade is ready to intervene in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and Madagascar in order to restore peace and stability in the two countries, Angola's official news agency ANGOP reported on Monday.

Mathendele Moses Dlamini, head of the mission of the SADC Dolphin Phase-I Mapex military exercise, was quoted as saying that the SADC Standby Brigade is ready to intervene in DR Congo and Madagascar which are currently facing armed conflicts.

Mathendele Dlamini also said that the military exercise, which is being carried out in Cabo Ledo in Angola's northern Bengo province, will bring together effectives of the armed forces and police from the SADC member states.

He added that the SADC standby forces should function as an important peacekeeping element of the African states.

The Dolphin Phase-I Mapex is a joint and integrated military exercise aimed at preparing the SADC Standby Brigade for peacekeeping operations in a multidimensional way in accordance with the program of the African Union's standby forces.

The task of the standby brigade, he said, consists of observing and controlling, support to peace, intervention in a member state in order to restore peace and security, prevention of disputes or conflicts in any manner, thereby preventing it from worsening or spreading to neighboring states or areas, provision of humanitarian assistance, post-conflict disarmament and demobilization.

Based in their respective countries, the personnel belonging to the standby brigade should only be dispatched when requested for any action or mission of peace.

The SADC is made up of 14 countries including Angola, South Africa, Botswana, Mauritius, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, Namibia, DR Congo, Congo, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

1. • SADC Summit to Discuss Zimbabwe's Political Progress (August 16, 2010)
2. • Congo Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Independence (June 30, 2010)
3. • Southern African countries move to single visa zone (February 26, 2010)
4. • SADC Council of Ministers Meeting in DRC for Budget Approval (February 22, 2010)
5. • Southern African Ministers Prepare Report on Regional Crises (January 7, 2010)
6. • DR Congo, Zambia hold commission meeting on cooperation (November 6, 2009)
7. • SADC leaders to meet on Zimbabwe current crisis (November 5, 2009)
8. • President Jacob Zuma to Co-Chair the 6th SA-DRC Bi-National Summit in Pretoria (October 30, 2009)
9. • President Joseph Kabila to visit Zimbabwe (October 23, 2009)
10. • Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Rivals Step Up Regional Lobbying Ahead of Crisis Talks (October 22, 2009)
11. • Zimbabwe PM Begins Regional Tour (October 20, 2009)
12. • Madagascar says to withdraw from SADC (September 30, 2009)
13. • Madagascar President Prevented from Taking Floor at UN General Assembly (September 25, 2009)
14. • Southern African Grouping Proposes Extraordinary Summit on Zimbabwe (September 7, 2009)
15. • SADC Leaders Open Summit in Kinshasa (September 7, 2009)
16. • Global Witness uncovers foreign companies' links to Congo violence (July 21, 2009)
17. • Mineral firms 'fuel Congo unrest' (July 21, 2009)

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