SadC

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is a regional intergovernmental organization of states in Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region. It was established in 1992 by the Treaty of Windhoek, succeeding the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) formed in the 1980s to coordinate development and promote regional cooperation. SADC aims to promote sustainable development, economic integration, trade, infrastructure, and security across its member states.

SADC has 16 member states spanning Southern Africa and nearby islands. Members include Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Comoros, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The bloc operates through a network of councils and a permanent Secretariat based in Gaborone, Botswana.

Key organs of SADC include the Summit of the Heads of State or Government, the Council of Ministers, the Secretariat, and the Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation. These bodies coordinate policy, oversee programs, and arbitrate disputes, with sectoral councils addressing trade, industry, transport, and other areas.

SADC pursues regional integration through initiatives such as the SADC Free Trade Area and regional infrastructure and development programs. It seeks to establish deeper economic ties, promote industrialization, and support peace, security, and stability. The organization also engages with broader continental and international frameworks, including the African Union and other regional economic communities.

Challenges include uneven development among members, governance concerns, trade and investment barriers, and the complexity of aligning national policies with regional frameworks. Despite progress, implementation remains uneven across sectors and member states.