IRIN

WINDHOEK, 17 March 2008 (IRIN) - Namibia's independence war ended nearly 20 years ago, but the experience gained by many soldiers during the conflict has made the country a fertile hunting ground for private security companies seeking recruits for the world's 21st century wars.

IRIN

WASHINGTON, 14 March 2008 (IRIN) - In a key briefing to Congress on 13 March, General William "Kip" Ward, head of the US Command for Africa, AFRICOM, devoted only 15 seconds of his four-and-a-half minute opening remarks to a possible humanitarian role.

Bathandwa Mbola

Pretoria - South Africa and Malawi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will enhance defence co-operation through the exchange of experiences and knowledge.

Tjirume Gavert

The Namibian Defence Force received yesterday an Integrated Logistics System, ILS, valued at three-comma-three million Namibia dollars from the Federal Republic of Germany.

ICC Press Release

The trial chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a decision Monday setting the trial date for former Union of Patriotic Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga for March 31, 2008. The trial chamber also set December 14 as the date when prosecutors must turn over all evidence to Lubanga's defense lawyers. Lubanga is charged with enlisting child soldiers in the violence-plagued Ituri district . He has denied the charges against him. Lubanga's trial will be the first for the ICC.

Lubanga became the first war crimes defendant to appear before the ICC after he was taken into ICC custody in March 2006. The ICC has also taken steps to prosecute Germain Katanga , a Congolese militia leader, who has also been accused of using child soldiers.

BuaNews

Marrakesh - Thanks to its geographical location and its expertise in counter-terrorism, Morocco can be one of the pillars of the crucial fight against this scourge, says Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble.

Edwin Tshivhidzo,

Lohatlha - The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has appointed a high level board of enquiry to investigate the death of nine soldiers who died during a training exercise.

NBC

Namibia yesterday celebrated the 17th anniversary of the country's army at Otjiwarongo.