The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has reaffirmed its commitment to regional integration by strengthening its collaboration with Non-State Actors (NSAs). Yesterday, representatives from SADC, NSAs, and international partners gathered in Harare to commence discussions that continue today, with an emphasis on establishing clear rules and regulations to guide NSA interactions with SADC organs.
Ms. Angele Makombo N’tumba, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, opened the meeting by welcoming participants and emphasizing the critical role of NSAs in driving SADC’s regional integration agenda. She highlighted the SADC Treaty’s recognition of NSAs as essential partners and the need for their involvement in shaping policies that impact the region’s economic, social, and cultural development.
Over the years, NSAs have played a significant role in SADC’s activities, contributing to policy formulation, implementation, and the review of key strategies. However, as Ms. N’tumba noted, these engagements have often been ad hoc and lacked a formal structure. In response, SADC developed the SADC Mechanism for Engagement with Non-State Actors, which was approved by the Summit in August 2022. This mechanism aims to create a more systematic and coordinated approach to NSA involvement, ensuring their participation is more effective and meaningful.
The new mechanism provides a framework for SADC and NSAs to work together more closely, fostering stronger partnerships and improving coordination across the region. It also seeks to enhance the capacity of NSAs, enabling them to engage more effectively in SADC processes and ensuring their voices are heard in the regional integration dialogue.
A key milestone in this initiative was the approval of the Guidelines for the Accreditation of Non-State Actors by the SADC Council in March 2024. These guidelines establish the criteria and process for NSA accreditation, outlining the rights and obligations of accredited NSAs. Depending on their level of accreditation, NSAs will either hold consultative or observer status, allowing them to contribute more actively to SADC’s work.
Ms. N’tumba stressed the importance of getting the fundamentals right as SADC moves towards operationalizing this mechanism. She pointed out the potential risks involved in engaging with NSAs, such as the possibility of undue influence by certain actors or the misuse of SADC’s name and reputation. To mitigate these risks, she called for clear legal and institutional arrangements that define the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved.
The meeting in Harare represents a significant step forward in SADC’s efforts to involve NSAs in its regional integration processes. By establishing a formal mechanism for engagement, SADC is laying the groundwork for more inclusive and participatory decision-making. This initiative is expected to strengthen the overall regional integration agenda, ensuring it better reflects the interests and needs of the people of Southern Africa.
Supported by the European Union through the Expanded Institutional Capacity Building (EICB) Programme, which prioritizes NSA engagement, this meeting underscores the importance of collaboration between SADC, NSAs, and international partners. As discussions progress, there is a shared sense of optimism that the outcomes of this meeting will contribute to more robust regional integration, ultimately benefiting all member states and their citizens.
