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Sadc summit exposes bloc
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The Southern African Development Community (SADC) extraordinary summit, hosted by Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has exposed growing concerns about the bloc's ineffectiveness in addressing the region's deepening challenges, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mozambique. Critics argue that SADC has become a "lame duck," increasingly irrelevant in resolving critical issues facing the region.
The summit convened in Harare was overshadowed by the absence of many key leaders, with only six out of 16 heads of state attending, further highlighting SADC's declining influence. This marks a troubling trend as recent summits have also seen low attendance, raising questions about the bloc's ability to lead effectively on pressing regional issues.
The summit's agenda heavily focused on the ongoing conflicts in the DRC and Mozambique. The DRC has been grappling with violence in its eastern regions, which has claimed thousands of lives and led to the deployment of troops from several SADC member states. Zimbabwe itself has a history of military involvement in the DRC, having sent troops there in 1998 to support the late Laurent Kabila's government. Despite this, the situation remains volatile with no significant resolution in sight.
In Mozambique, violence erupted after the October elections, with opposition groups disputing the result. Clashes between citizens and the military have resulted in numerous deaths. The conflict has raised alarms about the stability of the country and the credibility of its electoral process. SADC has been accused of failing to take decisive action in both situations, instead engaging in endless deliberations with few tangible outcomes.
Renowned academic and political commentator Ibbo Mandaza expressed concerns over SADC's growing ineffectiveness, suggesting that the organization, once a force for liberation in southern Africa, has become a shadow of its former self. "SADC has become rather lame compared to earlier versions of it when there was firm leadership in the region," Mandaza said, referencing past leaders like Julius Nyerere and Kenneth Kaunda. He criticized the bloc's slow and ineffective response to crises, including the controversial elections in Zimbabwe and the escalating violence in Mozambique.
Mandaza's sentiments were echoed by political analyst Abel Kapodogo, who described SADC summits as predictable, with resolutions on the DRC and Mozambique being recycled year after year. "There's no significant progress to show for it," Kapodogo said, adding that SADC's actions often fall short of addressing the root causes of the conflicts.
International relations expert Gerald Mandisonza also questioned the political will of SADC leaders, noting that the organization has become too comfortable issuing statements of concern without taking concrete action. "They have essentially outsourced their responsibilities to international bodies like the UN or the African Union," Mandisonza said.
The situation in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province further illustrates SADC's reactive approach. Although a military mission was deployed in 2021 to combat insurgents, progress has been slow, and insurgents continue to pose a threat. Mandisonza argued that SADC's lack of follow-through with socio-economic programs to address underlying issues like poverty and marginalization in the region has prolonged the crisis.
Pardon Taodzera, a political science lecturer, added that SADC's "Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections" have become mere window-dressing, as the bloc continues to fail to address contested elections in Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and Mozambique. He criticized SADC's consensus model, which prioritizes unity over accountability, allowing member states to evade responsibility for poor governance and electoral malpractices.
Despite the criticisms, SADC's Executive Secretary, Elias Magosi, emphasized the need for dialogue, particularly in the aftermath of Mozambique's disputed elections. "Election processes should never deteriorate into conflict," Magosi said, urging all aggrieved parties to use electoral laws to voice concerns and ensure the safety of citizens.
As SADC grapples with its declining effectiveness, questions remain about the future of the regional bloc and its ability to address the challenges facing southern Africa. With escalating conflicts and political instability, SADC's capacity to act decisively will be crucial in determining its relevance in the years to come.
The summit convened in Harare was overshadowed by the absence of many key leaders, with only six out of 16 heads of state attending, further highlighting SADC's declining influence. This marks a troubling trend as recent summits have also seen low attendance, raising questions about the bloc's ability to lead effectively on pressing regional issues.
The summit's agenda heavily focused on the ongoing conflicts in the DRC and Mozambique. The DRC has been grappling with violence in its eastern regions, which has claimed thousands of lives and led to the deployment of troops from several SADC member states. Zimbabwe itself has a history of military involvement in the DRC, having sent troops there in 1998 to support the late Laurent Kabila's government. Despite this, the situation remains volatile with no significant resolution in sight.
In Mozambique, violence erupted after the October elections, with opposition groups disputing the result. Clashes between citizens and the military have resulted in numerous deaths. The conflict has raised alarms about the stability of the country and the credibility of its electoral process. SADC has been accused of failing to take decisive action in both situations, instead engaging in endless deliberations with few tangible outcomes.
Renowned academic and political commentator Ibbo Mandaza expressed concerns over SADC's growing ineffectiveness, suggesting that the organization, once a force for liberation in southern Africa, has become a shadow of its former self. "SADC has become rather lame compared to earlier versions of it when there was firm leadership in the region," Mandaza said, referencing past leaders like Julius Nyerere and Kenneth Kaunda. He criticized the bloc's slow and ineffective response to crises, including the controversial elections in Zimbabwe and the escalating violence in Mozambique.
International relations expert Gerald Mandisonza also questioned the political will of SADC leaders, noting that the organization has become too comfortable issuing statements of concern without taking concrete action. "They have essentially outsourced their responsibilities to international bodies like the UN or the African Union," Mandisonza said.
The situation in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province further illustrates SADC's reactive approach. Although a military mission was deployed in 2021 to combat insurgents, progress has been slow, and insurgents continue to pose a threat. Mandisonza argued that SADC's lack of follow-through with socio-economic programs to address underlying issues like poverty and marginalization in the region has prolonged the crisis.
Pardon Taodzera, a political science lecturer, added that SADC's "Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections" have become mere window-dressing, as the bloc continues to fail to address contested elections in Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and Mozambique. He criticized SADC's consensus model, which prioritizes unity over accountability, allowing member states to evade responsibility for poor governance and electoral malpractices.
Despite the criticisms, SADC's Executive Secretary, Elias Magosi, emphasized the need for dialogue, particularly in the aftermath of Mozambique's disputed elections. "Election processes should never deteriorate into conflict," Magosi said, urging all aggrieved parties to use electoral laws to voice concerns and ensure the safety of citizens.
As SADC grapples with its declining effectiveness, questions remain about the future of the regional bloc and its ability to address the challenges facing southern Africa. With escalating conflicts and political instability, SADC's capacity to act decisively will be crucial in determining its relevance in the years to come.
Source - newsday
