SOUTH Africa and Botswana have signed a bilateral military pact on defence and security, SABC radio news reported on Friday. Speaking at the signing ceremony in Gaberone, SA Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota said the time had come for Africa to control and manage its political and military conflicts. The agreement would bind the two countries to jointly participate in the United Nations peacekeeping missions and the guarding of common borders. The pact also commits both countries to share technical and human resources in emergency or disaster situations.