Analysis of the Efficacy of Regional Economic Communities in Relation to Maintenance of Regional Peace and Security: Case Study of Southern African Development Community

Abstract

Whereas SADC is perceived as the most peaceful region in Africa, this achievement is marred by ongoing armed conflict in the DRC, insurgency in Cabo Delgado in Mozambique’s and periodic election related violence and social unrest that characterise some SADC member countries. These security concerns render SADC ineffective with regards to the maintenance of regional peace and security. This qualitative study analysed the efficacy of SADC in relation to the maintenance of regional peace and security. The analysis was based on the Constructive Peace Theory (CPT) and the Sustainable Regional Peace and Security Framework (SRPSF) which was developed by this researcher. Interviews and documentary analysis were used to gather data from 15 participants who were selected using purposive sampling technique. Results show that leadership discord, weak regional institutions, lack of funding and ideological crisis were the key factors that render SADC’s bid to maintain regional peace and security ineffective. The study recommended the construction of supranational regional institutions and the establishment of self-reliance funding models to bankroll essential regional peace and security initiatives.