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5.5.1 SADC Regional Logistics Depot
The development of the SADC Regional Logistics Depot (RLD) remains on course, to put
in place a logistics capability to provide mission start-up equipment for the Standby Force,
and for Force multi-dimensional contingents, that is, the military, police and civilian com-
ponents. The RLD will hold the requisite inventory for establishing the sector/brigade
Headquarters for an AU/UN mandated mission and the inventory for a mission Head-
quarters for a SADC mandated mission. The RLD is being developed on land provided
by the Government of Botswana. The first phase of site clearance and fencing of 19ha of
land was concluded in October 2018, and the Secretariat has concluded the tendering pro-
cess and the designing for the construction of the infrastructure has started.
The Secretariat has completed the Resource Mobilisation Strategy to fund the RLD
Project, with a decision to adopt a hybrid funding approach by Member States and Inter-
national Cooperating Partners (ICPs). The total cost estimate is US$45 million and US$
10 million has been secured as seed capital through Member States contributions. The
RLD is expected to attain Initial Operating Capability by 2023 and Final Operating Ca-
pability by 2025, to align with the timeframe proposed by the African Union, which will
also assist with the sourcing of funds.

5.5.2 Peace and Security Thematic Group
SADC and ICPs who are involved in peace and security issues have established a thematic
group, as with other sectors, to develop a coordinated approach to promoting peace and
stability in the region. The inaugural meeting of the SADC Peace and Security Thematic
Group, which consists of representatives of the SADC Secretariat, its subsidiary organisa-
tions and ICPs involved in peace and security issues, was held in June 2018. The main ob- 139
jective of the SADC Peace and Security Thematic Group is to provide a platform for
sharing experiences and information on peace and security in the region, as well as facili-
tating resource mobilization for SADC activities in line with the Costed Implementation
Plan on Peace and Security (2016-2021).

5.6 Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategy
Terrorism remains a global phenomenon and is one of the most serious threats to inter-
national peace and security, economic development and social integration. Terrorism is a
threat that poses fundamental challenges to the region and risks undermining the core values
and principles of social cohesion, rule of law, respect for human rights, protection of civilians,
and tolerance. The SADC Summit in Botswana in 2015 adopted the SADC Counter-Ter-
rorism Strategy, which aims to strengthen the region’s peace and security infrastructure. The
Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategy and its Action Plan has enabled a common approach
in the fight against terrorism collectively, including the sharing of information on suspected
terrorists; enacting and reviewing legislation at national level on preventing and combatting
terrorism; and strengthening capacity of the Financial Intelligence Units.

5.7 Regional Strategy on Women, Peace and Security
SADC has developed a regional framework that will serve as a guide on mainstreaming
gender into the regional peace and security systems and processes. The SADC Regional
Strategy on Women, Peace and Security (2018-2022) aims to address challenges experienced
by women and children by ensuring full participation in peace and security activities, pro-
grammes and projects. The strategy is a key policy tool to support the implementation of
the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 in the region, through capacity building
and support in developing National Action Plans in Member States.
Another initiative to mainstream gender in the peace and security sector is the effort
by Member States to develop and implement primary and subordinate legislation on traf-
ficking in persons. Awareness-raising on trafficking in persons has been conducted by the
SADC Secretariat, including two publications and a training curriculum to be used largely
by law enforcement officers and social workers.