SADC at 25: an Overview of Selected Issues (Southern African Development Community‪)‬

ABSTRACT A brief analytical overview is provided of the current state of the Southern African Development Community, focusing on three aspects: the dual characteristic of the organisation as being responsible for both development/economic integration and security; the development model being pursued and the problems encountered in its implementation; and developments within the security sector. It is concluded that the organisation suffers from a disconnection between the rhetoric of building a regional community and the practical and effective implementation of the necessary plans and programmes to achieve such a community as envisaged in the SADC Treaty. Real development and security are confused with putting in place structures and institutions for realising these goals.