■ A global partnership
France and South Africa share concerns on security issues and peace on the continent where both countries are important contributors. A global agreement on Defence Cooperation was signed in 1998 paving the way for a global partnership in that particular field. A biannual committee co-chaired by the Secretary for Defence and the French Chief Director of International Affairs addresses the issues of military and defence industry cooperation. An annual Defence Strategic Dialogue, alongside the Political Forum co-chaired by the Secretary General of our respective ministry for Foreign Affairs, is addressing the main issues on global Defence and Security challenges.
■ A multiple field cooperation
Based on mutual agreements endorsed at the Defence committee, our bilateral cooperation is covering the entire spectrum of Defence Cooperation:
Developing French language teaching inside the SANDF, with the support of Directorate for Security and Military Cooperation and the South African Department of Human Resources of the DoD in order to facilitate exchanges inside SADC as well as better prepare for SANDF commitments in francophone Africa;
Operational cooperation mainly led by our command of the French Forces in La Réunion, in order to increase the interoperability between our two forces, as well as maintaining our training standards at the highest level. As France and South Africa are neighbours in the South Indian Ocean with their respective overseas possessions, naval cooperation is a necessity and is implemented through regular training periods. Joint paratrooper training, helicopter pilot exchanges and joint tactical transport aircrew training are amongst other actions that are enhancing our bilateral knowledge and skills.
Defence Industry cooperation, France and South Africa are 2 major countries in that particular field and European Defence Industry is implanted in South Africa. Networking and promotion of mutual projects or developments are key points to enhance our relationship.
■ Perspectives
• In June 2011, a mutual paratrooper training has been planned in Bloemfontein;
• In September and October 2011, naval exercise “OXIDE” will be held both in La Réunion and Durban, to better address the maritime securities issues in the Mozambique Channel;
• In October 2011, a seminar on Defence Industry, is to be held in RSA, co-organised by Armscor and the DGA;
• In September 2011, detachment of an advisor to the Department of Human Resources of the DoD to help it at defining a global foreign language policy and managing French Language courses in SANDF;
• Negotiation of a mutual agreement on the cooperation on cross surveillance of our respective EEZ in the Southern part of the Indian Ocean.
