British military to train MDF in peace keeping operations
A special task group of British soldiers has been deployed to Malawi to train elements of the Malawian Defence Force (MDF) to effectively perform in peace support operations on the African continent.
The two-week training will take place at the Malawi Armed Forces College (Mafco) in Salima, according to British High Commission communications officer Benson Linje.
Drawn from regular and reservist portions of third and seventh Battalions, the unique bunch comprises around 25 riflemen from Buckinghamshire, Oxford, London and Reading.
“In addition to their military knowledge and operational experiences in Afghanistan, the reservist part of the team, in particular, brings a range of additional capabilities from their civilian workplace,” said Linje on Saturday in Lilongwe soon after the first contingent of the British troops arrived in the country.
He said other skills to be shared include building, engineering, surveying, consultancy and project management experience to that of medicine, policing and personal training.
“The expedition is an example of how the army can work together to support foreign forces and partner nations to add real value in support of UN operations across the world, “ said Linje
The UK provides long-standing support to Malawi’s involvement in peace initiatives on the African continent by, among other things, training MDF troops.
MDF is currently engaged in peace operation in the Kivu, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). n
