The Training for Peace (TfP) Programme, under the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), has maintained a long-standing partnership with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Peacekeeping Training Centre (RPTC) in supporting capacity-building initiatives across the Southern African region. Based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ACCORD and SADC Secretariat, the collaboration is anchored to the shared vision of enhancing Africa’s Peace Support Operations (PSO) capacity, in line with the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the African Standby Force (ASF) framework.
Through this partnership, TfP, under ACCORD, has contributed both technical expertise and resource support to several RPTC training programmes designed to strengthen the competencies of Civilian, Corrections, Military, and Police components in Peace Operations. These inputs have enriched RPTC’s curricula and enhanced its ability to deliver comprehensive, multidimensional training in line with African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) standards.
This milestone is not only a testament to TfP’s enduring commitment to strengthening peace operations in Africa, but also a moment to reflect on our shared journey of building the continent’s capacity for sustainable peace and security. Over the years, our partnership has been anchored on a shared vision to ensure that PSOs across the continent are multidimensional, inclusive, and responsive to the complex realities of modern conflicts. Together, we have implemented numerous joint training programmes focusing on courses such as the Integrated Mission Planning Course, Civilian Foundation Course, Civil-Military Coordination (CIMIC) Course, and Protection of Civilians (PoC) in PSO Course, among others. It is against this background that, as the RPTC, we join the TfP Programme in celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025. The impact of TfP’s work is visible in the thousands of peacekeepers, mediators, and conflict analysts who continue their work.
Moreover, the partnership has facilitated knowledge sharing and policy dialogue on peacekeeping best practices within the SADC region. Joint workshops, seminars, and post-course evaluations have strengthened institutional linkages among ACCORD, the SADC RPTC, and other regional peace training centres. This has contributed to harmonised approaches to training and capacity development across the continent.
On this auspicious occasion, I wish to commend the TfP Programme, its host institution ACCORD, and all its partners for 30 years of outstanding service to the continent. Your contribution has been instrumental in shaping the doctrine, practice, and policy of peace operations in Africa.
A key highlight of our cooperation was the successful delivery of the Civilian Foundation Course in PSO held from 19 to 30 September 2022 at the SADC Regional Peacekeeping Training Centre at St. Lucia Park in Harare, Zimbabwe. This course enhanced the readiness of Civilian personnel to support peace operations effectively in the SADC region and beyond.
During the same period, SADC RPTC was privileged to receive valuable reading materials from ACCORD, which Mr Wandile Langa handed to the Commandant, Rear Admiral Gottlieb Pandeni. This gesture demonstrated ACCORD’s continued commitment to supporting knowledge development and strengthening our training resources at the Centre.
As we look ahead, the SADC RPTC remains committed to strengthening this partnership and exploring new areas of collaboration, particularly in addressing emerging threats such as violent extremism, cyber insecurity, and climate-related conflicts. Together, we will continue to build the capacities necessary to secure a peaceful and prosperous Africa.
Congratulations once again to the TfP Programme on this remarkable 30-year journey. May the next decades be marked by even greater innovation, cooperation, and impact in our collective pursuit of peace.
Brigadier General Jose D.B. Canamala ‘psc’ (China, BW) Msc DSS (BU) is the newly appointed Commandant of the SADC RPTC.
