COMMON SECURITY AND DEFENCE ARRANGEMENT AND REGIONAL INTERGRATION:

 

The case of Southern African
Development Community (SADC)

Occasional Research Paper


By


Donald Peter Chimanikire

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiffung 6 Ross Avenue P. 0. Box 4720 Beigravia Harare Tel.: 705587, 723866 Fax: 263-4-723867 E-mail: feszim@africaonline .co.zw

TRADES CENTRE 3 Downie Avenue Belgravia Harare Tel.: 790441 Fax: 790431 E-mail: tradesc@africaonline.co.zw Web: http://www.tradescentre.org.zw

Hivos 20 Phillips Beigravia Harare Tel.: 263-4-706704 Fax: 263-4-791981

July 2001


Trade and Development Issues No 11

==========================

Table of Contents

	Preface	1
	Summary	3
	Definition of Security	4
	Determinants of SADC Collective Security	5
	Formalisation of SADC and Economic Integration	7
	Public Awareness Campaign	8
	Humanitarian Aid to Angola	10
	SADC/EU Cooperation	10
	Militarism in the Southern Africa Region	11
	Interdependence Versus National Economic Security	15
	Conflict Prevention	18
	Interdependence Between Security and Economic Integration	20
	Intra-State Conflict and other SADC Security Management Activities	21
	Conclusion	24

Go back to the top

=====================

Preface

Between the world of nation-states and the global community of people lie various manifestations of regionalism. Organizations for regime cooperation of varying capacity and effectiveness now cover most parts of the world and regional collaboration remains a strong aspiration world-wide. The spectacular success of regionalism in Europe and in North and Southern America is inspiration to all who strive towards a world system beyond frontiers. This trend, needless to say, takes into account matters relating to common security and defense matters as an important integration factor.


The current publication looks at new opportunities for regional integration in arrears relating to common security arrangements as joint regional efforts have taken place already in many areas like trade, thereby forming a framework of cooperation in other areas. The transformation of SAUC from a co-coordinating Conference into a Development Community has meant that its strategies and priorities have been upgraded to respond to positively to new challenges in areas relating to common security in the southern African region.


While arrangements for collective defense and collective security are clearly related, we need to remind ourselves that there is also a significant distinction between the two. A collective defense agreement involves an alliance between two or more states whereby they undertake to come to the assistance of whichever party suffers an attack. Collective security on the other hand, is an agreement amongst states to renounce the use of force in settling their disputes, while at the same time agreeing to use force against one of their member who breaks the law.


The Institute of Development Studies at the University of Zimbabwe in collaboration with TRADES CENTRE, SADC and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) have for some time now been involved in all aspects of regional integration in Africa and in particular in the SADC region. They have made common security and common defense one of their main areas of concern. Hence this publication. There is a massage running through this
publication that without common security in the region, development may not be possible, since it needs to be accompanied with security.

Dr. P. Chimanikire - Director Institute of Development Studies, University of Zimbabwe

Dr. F. Schmidt - Director Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Go back to the top

======================

Summary

The paper deals with the dialectical interrelationship between integration and regional security in the SADC region.

It traces the evolution of Common Security and Defense Arrangements and Integration efforts by the Southern African states since the time of the national liberation struggles in the region.

The paper gives highlights of the primary determinants of regional integration and common security arrangements for SADC countries and highlight some of the problems encountered in the process.

On common security the paper highlights some of the joint military efforts SADC countries have been involved in the region.

The paper’s conclusion is that regional integration and common security approach is the way-forward for SADC as opposed to uncoordinated activities by individual states.

Immigration and Civil Aviation. These national task forces would submit reports to the Regional Information Centre locate’d in Harare. The Regional Information Centre would in turn compile monthly status reports for onward transmission to national information centers

Our experience in Southern is that the sharing of both tactical and strategic information is vital in combating the small arms menace. Through this information exchange , Civil Aviation authorities have been able to place our regional air space under an effective surveillance. A number of planes used to smuggle weapons in the sub-region have been identified and in some cases this had led to the arrest and prosecution of the contraband runners.

But perhaps the most important of all, is the identification of resource scarcity as a potential threat to regional security. One example of SADC’s concern for resource distribution is over access to water. As a response to this, the Protocol on Shared Water Course System that recognize the problem of scarce water resources facing the region was signed by the SA.DC Heads of State and Government during their Summit Meeting in August 1995.18

Go back to the top

======================

Conclusion

Given the common history of SADC states and their geographical proximity, effective regional integration in areas concerning economic development, conflict prevention and resolution can be pursued through active cooperation and collaboration among SADC States. This applies to Common Security and Defense arrangements. The profound consequences of the global transformations compels urgent initiatives for not only SADC but Africa’s collective security and integrative strategy. Regional integration with all its different components is no longer an option but a must for the region if it has to survive in this globalising world.

Web quiries? Please contact tradesc@africaonline.co.zw