In a major milestone for regional peace and security, Botswana has officially launched the inaugural Southern African Development Community (SADC) Security Sector Reform (SSR) Course in Peace Support Operations (PSO). The groundbreaking event, taking place from 28th July to 8th August 2025 at Cresta Lodge in Gaborone, positions Botswana at the forefront of SADC’s drive to professionalize and harmonize peacekeeping efforts across the region.
The course was officially opened by Major General Simon Motswana Barwabatsile, Commander of the Ground Forces Command and Joint Force Commander of the Botswana Defence Force. In his keynote address, Major General Barwabatsile underscored the significance of the course, calling it a landmark in SADC’s ongoing commitment to sustainable peace.
“This course is not just training—it is a regional shift in how we approach peace and security,” he stated. “It comes at a time when rebuilding trust in public institutions, especially in post-conflict environments, is not a luxury but a necessity.” He praised the SADC Secretariat, the Regional Peacekeeping Training Centre (RPTC), facilitators, and member states for their unwavering commitment to inclusive, professional, and harmonized training across the region.
With Gaborone also serving as the home of the SADC Headquarters, the choice of Botswana as host underscores the country’s strategic importance in regional diplomacy and defence cooperation. The SSR course, coordinated by the RPTC based in Harare, Zimbabwe, brings together participants from various SADC member states for an intensive two-week programme.
Welcoming attendees, Colonel Jose D. B. Canamala, Commandant of the RPTC, hailed the event as a collective achievement. “This course is not only a milestone for RPTC but for the entire SADC community,” he said. “Our mission is to cultivate ethical, skilled, and effective peacekeepers who can address the multifaceted challenges of modern peace operations.”
Participants will undergo training on critical aspects of Security Sector Reform including governance, civilian oversight, gender mainstreaming, and the integration of civilian, military, police, and correctional components in peace support missions. The curriculum is grounded in the frameworks of the SADC, African Union (AU), and United Nations (UN), aiming to equip security personnel with the tools to implement effective SSR strategies.
The launch was attended by senior officials from Botswana’s security and defence forces, delegates from across the SADC region, course facilitators, interpreters, and other dignitaries. The presence of such a diverse group highlights the region’s shared commitment to creating stable, resilient, and democratic societies.
As the training officially kicks off, Botswana reaffirms its role as a proactive partner in regional peacebuilding. The country offers not just a venue, but leadership in nurturing a new generation of peacekeepers dedicated to driving transformation across southern Africa.
The SSR course is poised to become a cornerstone of future peace support operations in the region, laying the foundation for long-term stability through collaboration, innovation, and strategic foresight.
